PHP - best way to initialize an object with a large number of parameters and default values

Question

I\'m designing a class that defines a highly complex object with a ton (50+) of mostly optional parameters, many of which would have defaults (eg: $type = \'foo\'; $width

Answer 1

Another approach is to instantiate the class with a FooOptions object, acting solely as an options container:

_options = $options;
    }
}


class FooOptions
{
    private $_type = 'default_type';
    private $_width = 100;
    private $_interactive = true;

    public function setType($type);
    public function getType();

    public function setWidth($width);
    public function getWidth();

    // ...
}

Your options are well documented and you have an easy way to set/retrieve them. This even facilitates your testing, as you can create and set different options objects.

I don't remember the exact name of this pattern, but I think it's Builder or Option pattern.