Question

I would like to define the class name using variables in PHP. Is this possible?

Let me explain.

I am a small custom CMS that allows the end user to configure a prefix for the table names. So a user can define the prefix such as “rc_”. The problem is, I have a lot of models that use the table name as the class. So for example, if one of my tables is rc_posts, the model will be called

class MyModel_Rc_posts extends MyModelController {
         // code here
}

Is there any way to define a class using variables in PHP WITHOUT using eval() such as:

class MyModel_{$PREFIX}posts extends MyModelController {
// code here
}

The reason I want to avoid eval, is because some of these classes can get pretty long. Suggestions appreciated.

Answer 1

Take a look at class_alias – it should help you make this even readable!

Just to make this clear: You create your class with a "normal" name, then add an alias name on demand. The alias name can be any string, this includes a string stored in a variable.

Edit

While I think, that class_alias() is the way to go, here is an example on how to do it without it.

From your OQ:

class MyModel_Rc_posts extends MyModelController {
         // code here
}

Now

eval("class MyModel_{$PREFIX}posts extends MyModel_Rc_posts {};");

should do something very similar to class_alias().

Going this rout could be necessary, if you need get_class() later – on an aliased class, it will give you the original (static) classname, not the alias. With the ugly eval()/extends trick you get the dynamic name.