PHP can create static methods in much the same way as static properties.
To make a method static, add the static keyword before the function keyword in the method definition:
class MyClass { public static function staticMethod() { // (do stuff here) } }
To call a static method, use the following format:
MyClass::staticMethod();
static methods are useful to add some functionality that's related to a class, but that doesn't need to work with an actual object created from the class.
Here's a simple example:
<?php class Truck {/*from w w w . java2 s. co m*/ public static function calcMpg($miles, $gallons) { return ($miles / $gallons); } } echo Truck::calcMpg(168, 6); // Displays"28" ?>
The calcMpg() method take two arguments - miles traveled and gallons of fuel used - and returns the calculated miles per gallon.
Notice that the calling code doesn't need to create a Truck object to use calcMpg().