Dynamically define PHP class using a variable

Question

I want to create a class of which I don't know the name. What is the best way to accomplish the following scenario in PHP?

$class_name = 'SomeClassName';
$code = "class {$class_name}_Control extends WP_Customize_Control {}";
eval( $code );

Thanks.

See this -> stackoverflow.com/questions/7131295/dynamic-class-names-in-php — Jesse
– Jesse, Commented Sep 27, 2015 at 2:02
@Jesse If I'm not mistaking, the example you reference shows how to instantiate an object from a class that already exists. My class doesn't exist yet. I want to dynamically create it. — Marc Wiest
– Marc Wiest, Commented Sep 27, 2015 at 2:05
In that scenario, the way you are doing it is the way it is done from what I can tell. See the 3rd answer down and so on after that. General consensus for this is an eval -> stackoverflow.com/questions/1203625/… — Jesse
– Jesse, Commented Sep 27, 2015 at 2:08
@Jesse, thanks for trying to help me find a solution to this. I think I have to search a little while longer before I'll give in to this approach. I can't say I'm a big fan of what I'm looking at, there has to be a better way. — Marc Wiest
– Marc Wiest, Commented Sep 27, 2015 at 2:27
Agreed. Nothing wrong with research and a better approach to eval should always be examined. I +1d and starred this post as I am curious if someone comes up with an answer not using eval. — Jesse
– Jesse, Commented Sep 27, 2015 at 2:29

I wrestled a bear once. · Accepted Answer · 2015-09-27 03:43:36Z

0

I just tested this and it works fine. And if you only need the class temporarily you can always throw an unlink() at the bottom. No exec() required.

<?php

// your dynamic classname
$fart = "poot";

// define your class, don't forget the "<?php"
$class = <<<YOYOYOHOMIE
<?php
class $fart{
    public \$poop = "poop";
}
YOYOYOHOMIE;

// write the class to a file.
$filename = "dynamicClass".time().".php";
$fh = fopen($filename,"w+");
fwrite($fh, $class);
fclose($fh);

// require the file
require $filename;

// now your dynamically generated class is available
$tird = new $fart;
echo "<pre>";
var_dump($tird);

answered Sep 27, 2015 at 3:43

I wrestled a bear once.

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2 Comments

Marc Wiest Over a year ago

Thanks for your suggestion, but your approach seams crappier (pun intended) than mine. The heredoc syntax makes writing the class a bit easier, but opens more space for errors.

I wrestled a bear once. Over a year ago

well, to be fair, creating a class on the fly seems pretty crappy in general considering the security risks you're taking, whether or not you use eval. good luck finding something you like though.

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