PHP default function argument as a T_VARIABLE?

Question

I\'m trying to provide a member variable as a default value for a class method.

I know it\'s impossible to use a variable as a default value for a non-class function

Answer 1

I believe you can only use constants (strings, numbers, etc) in that syntax (but I could be wrong about that).

I suggest this alternative:

function getTest($var = null) {
    if (is_null($var)) {
        $var = $this->test;
    }
}

Answer 2

From the manual:-

The default value must be a constant expression, not (for example) a variable, a class member or a function call.

I'd probably just do something like:-

<?php

class Test {

    public function __construct() {

        $this->test = "whatever";

    }

    public function getTest($var=NULL) {

        if (is_null($var)) {
            $var = $this->test;
        }

        echo $var;
    }
}
?>