PHP static variable as a result of another function

Question

I am trying to define a PHP class with some static variables. I am trying to do the following to avoid using globals.

class class_Name{
  private static $var1 = is_plugin_inactive('plugin/plugin.php'); //check if WordPress has this plugin active
  public static function doSomeStuff(){
    echo $var1;
  }
}
//init class
class_Name::doSomeStuff();

This always get's me an error Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '(', expecting ',' or ';' in my_file.php at line where I am defining the static variable.

Any help please.

Class vars defined there must be constant expressions. Try assigning it in the function. — AbraCadaver, May 13 '15 at 20:37
I need the variable to be defined outside the `doSomeStuff` function so I can use it in several other functions. Thanks — thednp, May 13 '15 at 20:38
Typo. You call `doSomeStuff` but in the class the name is `doSomStuff`. — Muhammad Abdul-Rahim, May 13 '15 at 20:40
"__Class vars defined there must be constant expressions. Try assigning it in the function.__" Do you need more suggestions ? — Pedro Lobito, May 13 '15 at 20:44
@user3584460 can you please provide a easy example for me, I will test and mark your answer. — thednp, May 13 '15 at 20:44
setting class properties at that point is not allowed by the language as @AbraCadaver mentioned. You could add a setter function to explicitly set it prior to calling any of your other functions — Jeff Lambert, May 13 '15 at 20:44
Please refer : http://stackoverflow.com/questions/693691/how-to-initialize-static-variables — Jitendra Khatri, May 13 '15 at 20:53

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered May 13 '15 at 20:45

if you like to save a non constant expression in $var1 you need to set in from a method, for example an init method:

class class_Name {

    private static $var1 = null;

    public static function init() {
        self::$var1 = is_plugin_inactive('plugin/plugin.php');
    }

    public static function doSomeStuff() {
        echo self::$var1;
    }

}

class_Name::init();

class_Name::doSomeStuff();

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered May 13 '15 at 20:50

Not sure of your exact situation, but can you do:

class class_Name {
    private static $var1 = null;   

    //check if WordPress has this plugin active
    public static function doSomeStuff(){
        if(is_null(self::$var1))
            self::$var1 = is_plugin_inactive('plugin/plugin.php');
        echo self::$var1;
    }
}

Basically call the function like you are wanting to, but initialize it if its not already?

PHP static variable as a result of another function

2 Answers2