Re: tired of referencing static variables/constants with 'self ::'

On 5/9/06, D. Dante Lorenso <dante@vocalspace.com> wrote:

Does anyone know if it's possible to reference class constants or static variables without having to use 'self::' all the time?

No, and the answer is actually in your example. Copy-and-paste all of your example code into one file, and just change the second class A to B so that there isn't a class conflict. Then create an instance of A, and B, and call both test() methods. You'll get the following result: 111 Why? The reason is SCOPE. A::test() echos twice, the first for the class constant MY_CONSTANT, and the second echo's the *global* MY_CONSTANT. Then B::test() echos the *global* MY_CONSTANT again. As wonderful as PHP is, it can't read your mind. So if you're looking for a constant or variable, PHP needs to know where to look. If you don't specify "self::', PHP will look in the global scope, as it did in your code example. If you want it to look within your classes, you need to *tell* it so. And is "self::" really a lot of boiler-plate? Really?? John W

class A {

    const MY_CONSTANT = true;

    public function test() {
       echo self :: MY_CONSTANT; // works
       echo MY_CONSTANT; // doesn't work
    }

} I don't think it is possible, but why not? Can zend/php make it work? Seems it could since this works: define('MY_CONSTANT', true); class A {

    public function test() {
       echo MY_CONSTANT; // works
    }

} It's just annoying my how much boiler-plate I have to write all the time. Dante -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php