Using $this, self::, parent:: for code readability

Question

I would like to know if it is acceptable/preferred to use self::method() and parent::method() when working in php classes.

You can use $this->method() but $this-> can al

Answer 1

I couldn't add a comment (apparently i do not have the required rep!)

class Forum_Controller extends Controller {

public function __construct()
{
    parent::__construct();
}

public function index()
{
    echo self::categories();
}

/*
 * get a list of categories from a specific site.
 */
private static function categories()
{
    $db = new Database;

    // You cannot use $this in a static function, because static functions are per class 
    // and not per object it doesnt know what $this is :)   (make private static $site_id and use self::$site_id) if this is what you want

    $categories = $db->query("
            SELECT * FROM
            forum_categories
            WHERE fk_site = '$this->site_id'
    ");
    $view = new View('categories_view');
    $view->categories = $categories;
    return $view;
}

}

Like i said, you should use error_reporting(E_ALL | E_STRICT); (change it in the kohana file )

calling private function categories() statically works due to a bug in PHP, you shouldn't be able to do it :)