[PHP] Which method of variable setting is better?

Question

So just to better myself I'm wondering which method is better for setting a variable:

Code: http://pastie.org/private/jkw9dxplv0ixovvc0omq

Method 1: Set the end variable in the if statement

-OR-

Method 2: Set a default variable and only change it's value if needed.

I hope this makes sense.

Thank in advance!

Answer 1

I think this mostly has to do with personal preference. Any performance improvements will be negligible. Of these two, I would usually go with Method 2. However, I usually use a shorthand form of Method 1 to keep everything readable and on 1 line:

$value = 10;
$x = $value == 10 ? "yes" : "no";

Answer 2

<?php
    $value = 10;
    $x = 'no';

    if($value == 10){
        $x = 'yes';
    }
?>

Method two.

Answer 3

I prefer method 1. That way, if the case is 10, then $x is only set once. Otherwise, it is set once or twice. Not sure that it matters a lot, but it is more readable and logical too.

Answer 4

In my opinion is better to assign a default value and initialize variables, so i choose the second method.

If something goes wrong runtime you don't have to bother if your variable ($x) has been initialized or not.

$value = 10; $x = $value == 10 ? "yes" : "no";