Question

This is probably not the wisest question, but is it possible to return a variable from a function without redeclaring it?

function test(){
$a = 1;
return $a;
}

Would it somehow be possible to access $a with just calling the function? test();

not $a = test();

Is that the only way? I want to make $a available after calling the function.

Answer 1

You have to put the variable into the global scope:

http://codepad.org/PzKxWGbU

function test()
{
  $GLOBALS['a'] = 'Hello World!';
}
test();
echo $a;

But it would be better to use a return value or references:

function test(&$ref)
{
  $ref = 'Hello World!';
}
$var = '';
test($var);