How to call an array in a function? PHP

Question

Global scope allows you to use a variable in a function that was defined outside the function. eg

$a=1;
function $test(){
echo $a;
}

//outputs 1

but why is it that if I define a variable with an array I cannot use it the same way?

$test = array(
0=>'zero', 
1=>'one', 
2=>'two',
3=>'three', 
);

function doesntWork($something){
echo "My favorite number is " . $test[$something]; 
}

//outputs My favorite number is 0

How do i pass the array into the function without having to recopy the array into the function itself.

any explanation would be appreciated thanks

Answer 1

Your first example should not output 1. The only way to make variables global in a particular function is to use the global keyword like this:

function test() {
    global $a;
    echo $a;
}

function doesWork($something) {
    global $test;
    echo "My favorite number is " . $test[$something]; 
}

More info here: http://ca2.php.net/manual/en/language.variables.scope.php

Answer 2

PHP doesn't have implicit global scoping; you must use the the global keyword to access "global" variables.

$a outputting 1 is probably due to an intricacy of PHP's dubious handling of variables.

Answer 3

script #1 is not correct. neither does it work (function $test() {...}), nor does it output "1". and globals ARE bad practice. wrapping them in a class got nothing to do with it. classes are not a solution for random problems not related to object orientation.

just pass $a as a parameter:

<?php 
  $a=1; 
  function test($foo) { 
    echo 'number ' . $foo; 
  }; 

  test($a);
  // -> "number 1". 
 ?>

script #2:

<?php
  $test = array(
    0=>'zero', 
    1=>'one', 
    2=>'two',
    3=>'three', 
  );

  function doesntWork($test, $something){
    echo "My favorite number is " . $test[$something]; 
  }

  doesntWork($test, mt_rand(0,3));
?>