#29877 [Fbk->Opn]: variable assign by reference works even when methods don't return by reference

ID: 29877 User updated by: bharat at menalto dot com Reported By: bharat at menalto dot com -Status: Feedback +Status: Open Bug Type: Scripting Engine problem Operating System: FreeBSD 4.8 PHP Version: 4.3.8 New Comment: Er, I did submit the url to a short and complete script that demonstrates the problem, just as you requested. :-( What more can I provide here? Previous Comments: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2004-09-28 23:15:19] sniper@php.net Thank you for this bug report. To properly diagnose the problem, we need a short but complete example script to be able to reproduce this bug ourselves. A proper reproducing script starts with <?php and ends with ?>, is max. 10-20 lines long and does not require any external resources such as databases, etc. If possible, make the script source available online and provide an URL to it here. Try avoid embedding huge scripts into the report. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2004-08-28 22:56:41] bharat at menalto dot com Description: ------------ According to the documentation here: http://us4.php.net/manual/en/language.references.return.php In order to assign a variable as a reference to a value returned by a class method, the method needs to also return by reference. However, on PHP 4.3.8 in my test script I've found that the semantics are the same whether or not you return by reference. This is surprising to me. I could have sworn that it didn't used to be this way. Please let me know if you need more information. I can reproduce this with a stock php.ini. If this is the desired behaviour in this case, then we should update the documentation to reflect that the ampersand is no longer necessary on the getter method. Reproduce code: --------------- http://www.menalto.com/.outgoing/php/ref.php Expected result: ---------------- The URL above indicates the expected results. I can elaborate if necessary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Edit this bug report at http://bugs.php.net/?id=29877&edit=1