Question

I have strict error reporting. I have to use isset and it make me to write long, repetitive chains of variables in PHP. I have sometimes to write code like this:

if (isset($my_object->an_array[$a_variable])):
        $other_variable = $my_object->an_array[$a_variable];
else:
        $other_variable = false;
endif;

or

if (isset($my_object->an_array[$a_variable])):
        return $my_object->an_array[$a_variable];
endif;

Sometimes it is longer and more complicated. It isn’t readable and take too much time to type. I’d like to get rid of it.

The question
Is there a way to write $my_object->an_array[$a_variable] only once?

Answer 1

In the end I have found two solutions.

I. There is operator @ in PHP. It is very dangerous, tough.
http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.operators.errorcontrol.php

However, it is acceptable in my situation.

1. This is not a fatal error.
2. The value of undefined variable is defined as null. I’m fine with testing for this or using implicit conversions.
3. I can use $php_errormsg in extreme situations.

The code example:

$tmp = $false_object->property->property; #Throw notice
$tmp = $false_array['a_field']['a_field']; #Throw notice
$tmp = @$false_object->property->property; #Quiet
$tmp = @$false_array['a_field']['a_field']; #Quiet
echo $php_errormsg; #I can print that notice

The downside is I don’t receive information about lack of quotes in brackets.

$a = array('e'=>false);
$tmp = $a[e]; #Throw notice
$tmp = @$a[e]; #Quiet
echo $php_errormsg; #This variable still works

II. It is possible to use operator &.

1. The value of undefined variable will be NULL too.
2. The $php_errormsg variable doesn’t work for undefined variables.
3. I get notice for lack of quotes in brackets, though.

The code example:

$tmp = $false_object->property->property; #Throw notice
$tmp = $false_array['a_field']['a_field']; #Throw notice
$tmp = &$false_object->property->property; #Quiet
$tmp = &$false_array['a_field']['a_field']; #Quiet
var_dump($tmp); #NULL;

The lack of quotes problem:

$array = array('a_field'=>true);
$tmp = $array[a_field]; #Throw notice
$tmp = @$array[a_field]; #Quiet
$tmp = &$array[a_field]; #Throw notice