Re: Re[2]: [PHP] declaring variables in class definitions

You're right, AFAIK. IMO, it might be more useful (and follow a more expected format) if var $myVar _did_ initialize the variable and if you try to use a variable that isn't explicitly defined in the class throw an error... But that's not the way it is... -Toby ----- Original Message ----- From: <sam1600@iname.com> To: <php-general@lists.php.net> Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2001 3:31 PM Subject: Re: Re[2]: [PHP] declaring variables in class definitions > Hi Toby, > > > >This isn't really aesthetics as much as it is organization. > > >You already know that you don't have to declare PHP > >variables... if I had a one-line script that simply said: > ><?php echo $myVar++ ?> > >I would end up with 1 as the output. myVar would be created > >as soon as PHP encountered it (it would be empty, however), > >and with the ++ the variable would be type-casted to a > >numeric type (yeilding 0) and 1 would be added. Thus you get > >1 as your output. > > >Likewise, if you reference a non-existant variable that is > >within a class, PHP initializes the variable with an empty > >value. You're going to end up with a variable, not an error, > >whether it's explicitly defined in the class or not. > > Defining variables with (var $myVar;) in a class does not > initialize that variable in any way. It still does > not exist in any way whatsoever, period. I repeat, > var $myVar; does NOT set the varable > > > If the variable was set I could see a reason for the > defining, but because the variable is not set and does not exist, > after (var $myVar;), there is no reaon for this other that commenting > your code as you said. > > But on the otherhand if php is just showing us a way to define default > values for variables outside of class methods like (var $myVar = "somevalue";) > which ofcource works , thats just fine, but just sticking (var $myVar;) > in there is just useless. > > > >However, here's why it's not just aesthetics: > > >If you have a lot of code to go through, organization is > >important. If you declare a class and only define some > >functions (without explicitly defining variables with var > >$myVar, etc.), you could very well end up wondering what > >variable is what and whether a variable exists, etc. It > >wouldn't be too hard to stray from the right path and end up > >with half of your variables misnamed. > > In each method of the class you still have to reference the object > variables with a $this->myVar, whether the $myVar is deifined > in the class with (var $myVar;) or not ( unless you are wanting > to use a variable local to the method ofcource which is another matter ). > So declaring (var $myVar;) in the class will not stop you from missnameing > variables and also defining (var $myVar;) does not set the > variable, in fact the variable still does not exist in anyway whatsoever. > > I hope you understand what I'm saying. Sure, defining variables in the class > is a nice way to organize your code. But if (var $myVar;) does absolutly nothing > whats the point. If I want to comment my code I can do: > // note to Sam: don't misspell $myvar ;-) > > Thanks, > Sam > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- ------ > Get your free email from AltaVista at http://altavista.iname.com > > -- > PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) > To unsubscribe, e-mail: php-general-unsubscribe@lists.php.net > For additional commands, e-mail: php-general-help@lists.php.net > To contact the list administrators, e-mail: php-list-admin@lists.php.net > >