Question

Need some code examples on how to affect a variable outside of a function without using globals. Also I want to know where should I use global and where not.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The only way to affect a variable in another scope without using globals is to use references. You can define a function that takes it’s arguments by reference by prefixing the argument with &. For example:

function increment(&$var) {
  $var++;
}

$int = 1;
increment($int);
echo $int; // 2

In answer to the question “when should I use globals” – never. They make the program flow confusing and invite errors and unexpected behaviour, and they also make code less portable, as it relies on variable names in another scope.