Question

I have a simple function like so which I use to compare something,

function life($life) {
    while($life) {
        echo $life . '<br />';
        --$life;
    }
    return $life;
}
$life = life($user['lifeforce']);
if($life) { ... }

Should I pass it by reference or forget it and use what I am using? Would it be better to do…

function life(&$life) {
    while($life) {
        echo $life . '<br />';
        --$life;
    }
}
life($user['lifeforce']);
if($user['lifeforce']) { ... }

I am not quite understading the concepts of passing by reference?

Thanks

Answer 1

At first make sure that you read php manual on references, especially the part about passing by reference.

Simple example:

function integer_division( $number, $divider, &$remain){
  $remain = $number%$divider;
  return floor( $number/$divider);
}

$remain = 0;
$result = integer_division( 5, 2, $remain);
// $remain now contains 1

You should use reference ONLY when you intend to change value original variable (for example array sort functions work that way), or you need to return more than 1 value (and returning an array is a bad option).

So to answer your question directly: you should probably use the first way (unless you want to have 0 in userlife).