Question

I know the title is not very clear so here it’s in code:

function output($selector){
    $one = 1;
    $two = 2;
    $there = 3;

    return ? //should return 1 without if or switch statement
}


echo output('one');

If this is possible, how?

Answer 1

Use a variable variable by prefixing the $selector variable with another $:

return $$selector;

Remember to do sanity checks and/or implement default values, so you don’t end up generating unnecessary undefined variable errors and such from within your function.