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call_user_func

(PHP 3 >= 3.0.3, 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

call_user_func_array()
is_callable()
information about the callback type

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