Question

I’m using PHP 5.2.6. I want to have a default value for an argument in a method, but it seems I’m getting a bit too clever.

The class property blnOverwrite is defaulted and settable elsewhere in the class. I have a method where I want to have it settable again, but not override the existing value. I get an error when I try this:

public function place( $path, $overwrite = $this->blnOverwrite ) { ... }

Must I do something like this?

public function place( $path, $overwrite = NULL ) { 
    if ( ! is_null($overwrite) ) {
        $this->blnOverwrite = $overwrite;
    }
    ...
}

Answer 1

Yes, you have to do it this way. You cannot use a member value for the default argument value.

From the PHP manual on Function arguments: (emphasis mine)

A function may define C++-style default values for scalar arguments. […] PHP also allows the use of arrays and the special type NULL as default values. […] The default value must be a constant expression, not (for example) a variable, a class member or a function call. […] Note that when using default arguments, any defaults should be on the right side of any non-default arguments; otherwise, things will not work as expected.