Posted by Erwin Moller on 01/07/08 09:15

jodleren wrote:
> Hi!
>
> I have a function, a part of my code which I can use as a function.

I have no clue what that sentence means. :P

It
> will return 2 arrays, and I am wondering what way to do so. Both
> arrays hold strings, there are no special keys.
>
> 1) setting the arrays as globals
> 2) returnin an array of arrays
> 3) returning a large array with a known marker to indicate when the
> 2nd part starts.
>
> Any other ideas?
> As of now, it will only be used in one place... but that might change.
>
> WBR
> Sonnich

I would go with something like 2, because it is the most structured
approach in my opinion.

Something like this:

function gimme2(){
$arr1 = array("hi","bla");
$arr2 = array("more","of","this");
$returnThis = array();
$returnThis["arr1"] = $arr1;
$returnThis["arr2"] = $arr2;
return $returnThis;
}

// from code:
$result = gimme2();
// $result["arr1"] now contains first array, $result["arr2"] the second

Of course you can put the resulting arrays into a new var if that is
convenient, eg:
$result1 = $result["arr1"];
$result2 = $result["arr2"];

// unset $result maybe if not needed anymore
unset($result);

I prefer returning complex datastructures as hashed arrays, because I
can be more descriptive (like what holds what), but that is a matter of
taste.

Regards,
Erwin Moller

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