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PHP PHP Functions Function Returns and More PHP Variable Functions

How does a function can be called without set of ()

I am confused over how do we call on a function without set of () , in the video the call to function is done by

$func = answer;
echo $func ;

Whereas i what i know is that a function is called like

$func = answer();

echo $func;

So why is the video other way around without ()

2 Answers

In the second version the parenthesis are kind of included in the $func variable. So after that it's possible to call it without them, because what you are actually calling when you write

echo $func;

is answer()

Dan Avramescu
Dan Avramescu
11,286 Points

i think the $func here acts as a callback for echo, correct me if i'm wrong

Hugo Paz
Hugo Paz
15,622 Points

Hi Ammar,

If you notice in the video, he uses parenthesis on the variable, like this:

$func = 'answer';

$func();

But why not just use

$func();

for all of the time < php 4, i been seeing like that of echo out function, but '''php $function = 'answer'; $function(); '''' what's the difference and why use one over the other?

Hugo Paz
Hugo Paz
15,622 Points

You use a variable with the name of a function.

Here's an example:

<?php

function printName($name){
  echo $name . '<br/>';
}

$name = 'Hugo';
//I gave a different variable name in this case to make it clear what this variable is. We pass it the name of the function as a string.
$printFunction = 'printName';

//We use the variable to call the printName function
$printFunction('Ted');

printName($name);

?>