PHP Class variables with Constants

Question

I am getting a parse error on the lines with the constant (DEPLOYMENT). Why is this now allowed, or am I missing something.

Parse error: parse error, expecting `')'' in

class UploadComponent extends Object {

    private $config = array(
        'accessKey' => 'XXXX',
        'secretKey' => 'XXXX',

        'images' => array(
            'bucket' => DEPLOYMENT.'-files/images',
            'dns' => false
        ),

        'files' => array(
            'bucket' => DEPLOYMENT.'-files/files',
            'dns' => false
        ),

        'assets' => array(
            'bucket' => DEPLOYMENT.'-files/assets',
            'dns' => false
        )
    );
    ....
}

*(sidenote)* You dont want to have the dependency on the global constant in there anyway. — Gordon, Oct 14 '10 at 11:21
@Gordon why not? @pleasedontbelong really? What is the point of your comment. — Lizard, Oct 14 '10 at 11:55
because dependencies ought to be injected. If you rely on outside state, your class can no longer be used in isolation. You cannot have this class without also having the global constant. That's bad for maintenance and testing. — Gordon, Oct 14 '10 at 12:24

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 14 '10 at 11:18

You can't use variables when defining class vars. Initialize your array inside the constructor instead:

class UploadComponent extends Object {

    private $config;

    function __construct() {
        $this->config = array(
            'accessKey' => 'XXXX',
            'secretKey' => 'XXXX',

            'images' => array(
                'bucket' => DEPLOYMENT.'-files/images',
                'dns' => false
            ),

            'files' => array(
                'bucket' => DEPLOYMENT.'-files/files',
                'dns' => false
            ),

            'assets' => array(
                'bucket' => DEPLOYMENT.'-files/assets',
                'dns' => false
            )
        );
    }
}

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 14 '10 at 11:20

5

The reason is that 'constants' can be defined dynamically. Their contents are therefore only known at run-time, and not compile-time.

answered Oct 14 '10 at 11:20

Evert

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PHP Class variables with Constants

2 Answers2