Question

Private Class in PHP

Asked by: dbnewbie

I have a "main" class which needs to handle a particular object internally. This "internal" object has no other purpose than to be used by this main class. It would be nice if I could package them together in 1 file.

Of course, I could just combine the class definitions in one file. However, what's stopping others from instantiating this "internal" object?

Also, there is a constant defined in the main class that I need access to from the internal object. Is there a way I can share this information from the main object to the internal object? Creating a superclass containing the constant and having the two classes extend from it seems like overkill to me.

So:

1. How do I create a class so that only a particular class can use it (and nothing else can instantiate it)?
2. How can I share a constant member to this internal object?

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Asked On
2008-05-18 at 20:18:49ID23412694
Tags

PHP

Topic

PHP Scripting Language

Participating Experts
2
Points
50
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: BrianGEFF719Posted on 2008-05-18 at 21:08:28ID: 21595174

>>1. How do I create a class so that only a particular class can use it (and nothing else can instantiate it)?

Not Really.

>>2. How can I share a constant member to this internal object?

Why don't you just define a static variable in the main class that inherits the "internal object"

class internalObj {
 static $property = 'whatever';
}


class mainClass extends internalObj {
  public function doSomething()
  {
    echo parent::property;
  }
}

 

by: BrianGEFF719Posted on 2008-05-18 at 21:13:49ID: 21595191

Well, if you're using PHP5, you can use Abstract Classes...but I really don't like the idea of using abstract classes...decide for yourself:

 http://us.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.abstract.php

 

by: BrianGEFF719Posted on 2008-05-18 at 21:16:07ID: 21595197

abstract class internalObj{
 static $property = 'whatever';
 protected function testFunc()
 {
  echo $this->property;
 }
}

class mainClass extends internalObj{
 public function doSomething(){
   parent::testFunc();
 }
}

$x = new mainClass();
$x->doSomething(); /* output whatever */

$y = new internalObj(); /* fail */

 

by: BrianGEFF719Posted on 2008-05-18 at 21:16:45ID: 21595199

But then there is nothing to stop someone from inheriting an abstract class...so you're back to the same dilemma.

 

by: dbnewbiePosted on 2008-05-19 at 00:10:36ID: 21595677

Abstract class is not the solution. The main class isn't supposed to extend the "internal" class. This is not a problem solved by inheritance.

What I am trying to do is limit the scope and use of internal class to just the main class. Added to the problem, I want the internal class to have access to a property in the main class.

 

by: pain_is_relativePosted on 2008-05-22 at 05:34:02ID: 21623137

If you use a class constant you can access the constant fromoutside the class.

eg:

class Blah {
    const FRED = 23.5;

    function __constuct(){

    }

    protected function do_something(){

    }
}

you can reference the constant staticaly. (That means you do not need to create an instance of the class. you can also do this with static methods. Static anything can not change though... ie you cant create many instances of them, or change them)

so to access your class constant:
require_once(Blah.php); //asuming your class is called Blah.php

$x = Blah::FRED;

sounds like you want to extend the main class to add a little more functionality.

eg:

class Big_blah extends Blah{

     public function do-stuff(){
        $x = Blah::FRED;
        return 2*$x;
    }
}

note:
a public function can be seen by everyone
a private function can only be used by the class that it was written in
a protected function is like a private function, except classes that are extended from it can also use it.

class constants are ALWAYS public.


 

by: BrianGEFF719Posted on 2008-05-22 at 09:42:49ID: 21625464

>>Abstract class is not the solution

Then I don't believe a suitable solution exists. All you can do is integrate them as one class.


Brian

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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