PHP - Define a constant and use it in a variable name

Question

please can you help me in this problem?
If in PHP I have a defined constant, can I use that constant name within a variable name? For example how can I do something like the following in valid php syntax?

define ("HELLO", "hello-you");
$var_HELLO = "something";
echo $var_HELLO;

where HELLO in the variable name is the defined constant.

many thanks.

That's a maintenance nightmare waiting to happen. Why would you need to define a variable name using a constant? — Quentin, May 05 '14 at 11:24
I use variables for many scopes as html nav, url links, etc... and I add every time same prefixes in a very great number of these variables. Maybe this can reduce the "maintenance nightmare"... @Quentin. And however it is also my curiosity that wants to know it :) — JB-Franco, May 05 '14 at 11:33
Use associative arrays if you want to group a bunch of variables together. — Quentin, May 05 '14 at 11:34

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered May 05 '14 at 11:26

5

If you absolutely have to do this,

define ("HELLO", "hello-you");
$var_{HELLO} = "something";
echo $var_{HELLO};

answered May 05 '14 at 11:26

Mark Baker

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PHP - Define a constant and use it in a variable name

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