PHP $GLOBALS is a superglobal variable in PHP that is used to access global variables from anywhere within a PHP script. It is an associative array where the keys represent the names of the variables, and the values are the values of the variables.
In this guide, we will cover the basics of $GLOBALS in PHP, how to use it, and best practices to follow while using it.
Basic syntax
The basic syntax of $GLOBALS is as follows:
$GLOBALS[key]
Here, the key represents the name of the global variable that you want to access. You can use this syntax to access global variables from within a function or a class method.
How to use $GLOBALS
To use $GLOBALS, you first need to define a global variable. For example, let’s define a global variable called $name:
$name = "John";
To access this global variable from within a function, you can use $GLOBALS:
function get_name() {
echo $GLOBALS['name'];
}
When you call the get_name() function, it will output the value of the $name variable, which is “John”.
Best practices
While $GLOBALS can be useful in certain situations, it is generally considered bad practice to use it excessively. Here are some best practices to follow while using $GLOBALS:
- Avoid using $GLOBALS in functions and classes whenever possible. Instead, pass variables as function arguments or class properties.
- Use $GLOBALS only when you need to access global variables from within a function or a class method.
- Use descriptive variable names to avoid naming conflicts with other global variables.
- Do not modify global variables from within a function or a class method unless it is absolutely necessary.
Conclusion
PHP $GLOBALS is a useful tool for accessing global variables from within a PHP script. However, it should be used sparingly and only when necessary. By following best practices, you can ensure that your code is maintainable and easy to understand.