Returning References
Returning by-reference is useful when you want to use a function
to find which variable a reference should be bound to. When
returning references, use this syntax:
<?php
function &find_var ($param)
{
/* ...code... */
return $found_var;
}
$foo =& find_var ($bar);
$foo->x = 2;
?>
In this example, the property of the object returned by
the find_var function would be set, not the copy, as it
would be without using reference syntax.
Note: Unlike parameter passing, here you have to use &
in both places - to indicate that you return by-reference,
not a copy as usual, and to indicate that reference binding,
rather than usual assignment, should be done for $foo.
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