Question

I wonder if something like this is possible in PHP

$goto = 'end';
goto $goto;

when I use it I get Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_VARIABLE, expecting T_STRING.

Furthermore, how would I do something like this (considering a() returns true or false)

a() or goto end;

as opposed to the longer version

if (!a()) goto end;

• purely theoretically 🙂

---

This has certainly got a lot of reaction. I think mentioning two of PHP’s most debated areas (goto and eval) helped get some strong reactions.

Just to get things clear and put some people’s hearts at ease: I know the reasons for not using goto. But to every "rule" there are exceptions.

Answer 1

Goto works only like this

10:
//something

goto 10;

or

end:
//something

goto end;

but yours one is impossible

_{Yes, I know using goto is discouraged, but an answer to the actual question is a lot better than these saying DO NOT USE GOTO GOTO IS EVIL}

Addendum: eval goto

It’s not likely you really want to do that:

$goto = 'end';

eval(<<<EOD

    goto $goto;
    return; 

    end: 

    echo 'end';
EOD
);

Demo