can one get the name of parameters passed to a function?

One thing I like about Ruby is the use of symbols when passing
function parameters to a function. One thing I dislike about PHP is
that if a function has 4 optional parameters but you want to do
something with the 4th one, you need to put in something, perhaps
empty strings, for the first 3 parameters, even though you've no
interest in using them.

I'm wondering if there is anyway to emulate the Ruby style with
something like this:

http://us2.php.net/manual/en/function.func-get-args.php

Is there a way to get the parameters as an associative array? A
numerically indexed array is just as useless as the normal style of
passing arguments.

re: can one get the name of parameters passed to a function?

On Apr 16, 7:19 am, "lawrence k" <lkrub...@geocities.comwrote:Dear Lawrence,

try to modify your function from

function dummy($param1 = '', $param2 = '', $param3 = '', $param4 =
'') {
if ($param1) echo $param1;
if ($param2) echo $param2;
if ($param3) echo $param3;
if ($param4) echo $param4;
}

to

function dummy(&$params) {
if (isset($params['first'])) echo $params['first'];
if (isset($params['second'])) echo $params['second'];
if (isset($params['third'])) echo $params['third'];
if (isset($params['forth'])) echo $params['forth'];
}


This way you can use the function e.g. with the fourth parameter only
when you call

dummy(array('forth' ='testvalue'));


Good luck
Martin


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re: can one get the name of parameters passed to a function?

On Apr 16, 1:48 am, "Martin Mandl - m2m tech support"
<martin.ma...@gmail.comwrote:I should just always remember to pass an associative array instead of
a list of arguments? Well, okay, that is kind of obvious. The syntax
is slightly cleaner in Ruby, but sure, we can all do that in PHP too.

re: can one get the name of parameters passed to a function?

On 15 Apr 2007 22:19:57 -0700, "lawrence k" <lkrubner@geocities.comwrote:
For an insane solution, search Google Groups for "This calls for the power of
Bobo the Clown" (seriously).

Otherwise, pass an associative array.
--
Andy Hassall :: andy@andyh.co.uk :: http://www.andyh.co.uk
http://www.andyhsoftware.co.uk/space :: disk and FTP usage analysis tool