if a constant is defined in class like this:
class Example
{
const MIN_VALUE = 0.0; // RIGHT - Works INSIDE of a class definition.
}
it is possible to access the constant like this:
Example::MIN_VALUE
but if you do this:
class Sample {
protected $example;
public function __construct(Example $example){
$this->example = $example;
}
public function dummyAccessToExampleConstant(){
//doesn't work -> syntax error, unexpected '::' (T_PAAMAYIM_NEKUDOTAYIM)
if($this->example::MIN_VALUE === 0.0){
}
//this works
$tmpExample = $this->example;
if($tmpExample::MIN_VALUE === 1){
}
}
}
Can somebody explain me the reason of this behaviour ?
Is there a good reason or is it just a language construct that prevents the access with "::"
Is there a way how to access a constant with "$this"
This is one of those unfortunate shortcomings of PHP's parser. This will work:
$example = $this->example;
$min = $example::MIN_VALUE;
This won't:
$min = $this->example::MIN_VALUE;
Edit:
This issue is documented in PHP bug #63789: https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=63789
It has been fixed, but you will have to wait until PHP's next major release (7).
It is a class constant. There is no need (and indeed no means) whatsoever to access it in an instance-based way.
You should just access it as Example::MIN_VALUE
to eliminate any confusion.
PHP > 5.3 allows access via an instance as you have shown (i.e. $class_instance::CLASS_CONSTANT
) but this is still not to be confused with a property of that instance which can be accessed via ->
(if public of course).
Is there a way how to access a constant with "$this"
You don't need to access a constant with $this
, because $this
refers to the current instanciated object of a class
. constants can be accessed without instantiating an object.
Is there a good reason or is it just a language construct ...
A constant, as it's name implies, it's a constant value
, meaning the value of that variable won't change during execution, that's why you don't need to instantiate an object to access its value.
Hope it's clear !