Why is this Variable Disappearing?

Question

This should probably have a simple answer I just can't figure out.

Anyway, I have a php document and inside of it I define <?php $pathprefix = '../'; ?>

Later in the document I use an <?php require([somefile.php]); ?> and inside of somefile.php, I have a line that says <?php echo($pathprefix); ?> but the '../' I assigned to $pathprefix never shows up. It acts like the variable was never instantiated. What is my problem?

Answer 1

The variable is out of scope in "somefile.php". You could declare the variable global, ie global $pathprefix = '../'. Then in somefile.php put global $pathprefix; at the top.

Answer 2

Really need to see your source code to determine the scope. With what you've provided here's two options:

Set in $GLOBALS

file1.php:

$GLOBALS['pathprefix']= '../';

file2.php:

require('file1.php');
print_r($GLOBALS['pathprefix']);

Use a class

file1.php:

class Settings {
 const PATH_PREFIX= '../';
}

file2.php:

require('file1.php');
print_r(Settings::PATH_PREFIX);

Understand Scope in PHP

http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.variables.scope.php

Good luck.