Function Default Values

I have written a function to generate and store a salt data for a session cookie. I haven't written the MySQL code, so that is absent. Basically what I am trying to do is make it so that if there is no value submitted for an argument, I want it to fall back to the defaults set up in my config.ini file. This file is successfully parsed into the array "$_SETTINGS". I have no problems doing this. I get an "Unexpected T_VARIABLE" in the line with the function definition. I know this means that I've got a variable call in the wrong place, but I don't know why it thinks it is wrong. Can you not default to variables in a function? Or am I just writing it incorrectly? Please enlighten me on this, I'm pretty much stuck. --CODE SNIPPET-- function create_salt_data($destination = $_SETTINGS['session.salt_var'], $prefix = $_SETTINGS['session.salt_prefix'], $crypt_method = $_SETTINGS['session.salt_crypt']) { $crypt_command = '$salt_data = ' . $crypt_method . '(uniqid("' . $prefix . '"));'; //Did compiling the salt together fail? If so, return failure. if (!eval($crypt_command)) { return false; } // $salt_data = $crypted_salt; if ($destination != 'return') { $_SESSION[$destination] = $salt_data; return true; } else { return $salt_data; } } I have worked around it by making the defaults null, and then testing and replacing them inside the function. It takes more code than I would like it to, I'm trying to condense my files. Thanks in advance! -- The Disguised Jedi disguised.jedi@gmail.com PHP rocks! "Knowledge is Power. Power Corrupts. Go to school, become evil" Disclaimer: Any disclaimer attached to this message may be ignored. This message is Certified Virus Free