Function handling
PHP Manual

call_user_func

(PHP 4, PHP 5)

call_user_func — Call a user function given by the first parameter

Description

mixed call_user_func ( callback $function [, mixed $parameter [, mixed $... ]] )

Call a user defined function given by the function parameter.

Parameters

function

The function to be called. Class methods may also be invoked statically using this function by passing array($classname, $methodname) to this parameter.

parameter

Zero or more parameters to be passed to the function.

Note: Note that the parameters for call_user_func() are not passed by reference.

<?php
function increment(&$var)
{
    
$var++;
}

$a 0;
call_user_func('increment'$a);
echo 
$a// 0

call_user_func_array('increment', array(&$a)); // You can use this instead
echo $a// 1
?>

Return Values

Returns the function result, or FALSE on error.

Examples

Example#1 call_user_func() example

<?php
function barber($type)
{
    echo 
"You wanted a $type haircut, no problem";
}
call_user_func('barber'"mushroom");
call_user_func('barber'"shave");
?>

Example#2 Using a class method

<?php
class myclass {
    function 
say_hello()
    {
        echo 
"Hello!\n";
    }
}

$classname "myclass";

call_user_func(array($classname'say_hello'));
?>

See Also


Function handling
PHP Manual