What is the ${$var.'s_array'} syntax in PHP?

Question

I am currently debugging a PHP OpenCart plugin and I have came across syntax I have never came across before.

I am interested in what this does and why it's used, and links to any documentation. The culprit is below:

${$variable.'s_array'}

It's a "variable" variable and actually depends on the value of $variable. So let's say $variable is "hello", it becomes ${'hellos_array'} then $hellos_array. — Kyle Domingo
– Kyle Domingo, Commented Nov 12, 2015 at 14:56

Tanuel Mategi · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-12 14:58:12Z

7

Variables in PHP can have variables in their declaration, like this:

e.g. try running this code-snippet:

$var = "dog_name";
$$var = "golden terrier";
echo $dog_name; //gives "golden terrier"

now to your case:

$variable = "random_";
${$variable.'s_array'} = "somecontent";
echo $random_s_array; //gives "somecontent"

this will give you dynamic variables.

answered Nov 12, 2015 at 14:58

Tanuel Mategi

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1 Comment

Fantastic answer! Thank you so much :-)