I have 4 files index.php, Database.php, Zoo.php, Animal.php
// Zoo.php
class Zoo {
private $db;
private $animals = array();
public function __constructor(Database $db) {
$this->db = $db;
$this->getAllAnimals();
}
private function getAllAnimals() {
//Database stuff, returns an array with all animals
$p=0;
foreach($dbresult as $an){
$animals[$p++] = new Animal($an['name'], $an['age'], $an['weight']);
}
}
public function listAnimals() {
foreach ($this->animals as $a){
echo $a->name;
//and so on
}
}
}
// Animal.php
class Animal {
// variables for the animals
}
// index.php
<?php
include 'Database.php';
include 'Zoo.php';
$db = new Database();
$zoo = new Zoo($db);
$zoo->listAnimals();
?>
This is from the top of my head, so if there are some errors, just treat it as pseudocode :)
My problem:
I get a Fatal Error Class Animal not found. If I add include 'Animal.php'; in the first line of Zoo.php, right before class Zoo { it works.
I'm stil learning about OOP with php, and the include-line strikes me as odd, so I ask for someone to help me out with this.
Is there another way to use "Animal"-objects in the "Zoo"-class, without the include or is it normal to use include, or maybe require/require_once?
I believe that most OOP developers these days take advantage of __autoload or (even better) the SPL autoloader, even if only in the libraries and frameworks that they use.
the include-line strikes me as odd
Why's that, then? To use Animal you must include its definition. Always seemed pretty rational to me.
There are alternatives such as require and require_once that do the same thing (but with some added restrictions), and some more exotic alternatives such as autoloading. But for simple tasks, include will do just fine.
If you need the "Animal" class inside Zoo.php, require_once("Animal.php"); at the top of Zoo.php. If you need it in some other file, do the same over there.