Array item is a closure object, can I get its return value as the same array item?

Question

I have this array:

$people = array( 
   'kids' => 100, 
   'adults' => function() {
       return 1000
   }
);

If I do print_r($people) I get:

Array ([kids] => 100, [adults] => Closure Object() )

How do I get - at that same array position - the return value of the closure object instead of the Closure Object itself?

Is this possible in PHP ?

$people['adults']()? if you want the actual value in the array, though, why have a closure in the first place? — Marc B
– Marc B, Commented Nov 13, 2015 at 22:01
because the value has to be computed and I wanted to have the function calculating it in there — red-o-alf
– red-o-alf, Commented Nov 13, 2015 at 22:06

Jeff Lambert · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-13 21:59:19Z

1

$myFunction = function() { return 1000; };
$people = array( 'kids' => 100, 'adults' => $myFunction());

If you try to do it inline like this:

$people = array( 'kids' => 100, 'adults' => function() { return 1000; }());

You will get a parse error:

PHP Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '(', expecting ')'

If you must do it on one line, you can use call_user_func:

$people = array( 
    'kids' => 100, 
    'adults' => call_user_func(function(){ return 1000; })
);

answered Nov 13, 2015 at 21:59

Jeff Lambert

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3 Comments

I thought of that, but if I use call_user_func I get: Fatal error: Using $this when not in object context

I know why I get that error but still can fix it: it's because the closure is calling $this->input->post('account') (I am using Code Igniter) ...

Anyway, without taking into consideration the complications of my specific use case, your answer is correct, so marking it as such. Thanks!