constructing name of php variable

Question

$service3_step1_person = ‘999’;    
echo $service3_step1_person;    //999

and then...

$service = "service3";    
echo "$".$service."_step1_person;  //$service3_step1_person

it doesn't give me 999, just give me a string of $service3_step1_person.

How can I make the string become a new variable name? Thanks!

Although it can be done (see people's answers), it's akin to an eval() and not really good practice. Find other ways to store and access the value. e.g. $service[3]["step"]["person"] — slim
– slim, Commented Aug 31, 2012 at 10:11
It's called Variable variables, see docs.php.net/language.variables.variable . But it's usually easier done/more flexible with arrays. In your case maybe something like $services[3]['steps'][1]['person']. — VolkerK
– VolkerK, Commented Aug 31, 2012 at 10:22

Ashwini Agarwal · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-31 10:06:35Z

5

echo ${$service."_step1_person"};

answered Aug 31, 2012 at 10:06

Ashwini Agarwal

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Comments

Ashwini Agarwal · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-31 10:46:48Z

2

Variable variable:

$service3_step1_person = ‘999’;
$service = "service3";
$variableName = "{$service}_step1_person";  
echo $$variableName; // 999

Ashwini Agarwal

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answered Aug 31, 2012 at 10:05

lisachenko

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replace $$variable with $$variableName . . this will give the exact output :)

Vinay · Accepted Answer · 2012-08-31 10:06:11Z

0

Try this:

 $service = "service3";
 $temp = "_step1_person";
 echo ${$service.$temp};

answered Aug 31, 2012 at 10:06

Vinay

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