Returning values
Values are returned by using the optional return statement.
Any type may be returned, including lists and objects. This
causes the function to end its execution immediately and pass
control back to the line from which it was called. See return()
for more information.
Example 12-9. Use of return()
<?php
function square ($num)
{
return $num * $num;
}
echo square (4); // outputs '16'.
?>
You can't return multiple values from a function, but similar
results can be obtained by returning a list.
Example 12-10. Returning an array to get multiple values
<?php
function small_numbers()
{
return array (0, 1, 2);
}
list ($zero, $one, $two) = small_numbers();
?>
To return a reference from a function, you have to use the
reference operator & in both the function declaration
and when assigning the returned value to a variable:
Example 12-11. Returning a reference from a function
<?php
function &returns_reference()
{
return $someref;
}
$newref =& returns_reference();
?>
For more information on references, please check out References
Explained.
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