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PHP Problem with retrieving variables and functions

Hi - In my PHP code I'm having problems getting variables back from the function on an include. The MySQL query works and it grabs the $ownrname as an example however when the function finishes and it continues processing the main php file the $ownrname variable is gone. I'm confused. Here is the sample code.

Thanks!

//main php file.
<?
if ($_GET["civil"] == "") { $civil = "FNTM"; }

include("inc/getcivil.inc.php");
getCanCivil($civil, $ownrname);

echo "<br>civil: " . $ownrname;

?>
// end of main php file

//include file
echo "	running here<br>";

	while($row = mysql_fetch_array($result))
	   {
		$yrmanu = $row['yrmanu'];
		$manu = $row['manu'];
		$model = $row['model'];
		$ownrname = $row['ownrname'] . " " . $row['ownrname2'];
		$address1 = $row['addr'];
		$address2 = $row['addr2'];
		$city = $row['city'];
		$prov = $row['prov'];
		$postal = $row['postal'];
		$country = $row['country'];
	   }

return $ownrname;

echo "<br>here:" . $ownrname;
//	mysql_close($link);

}

?> 
//end of include file

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Sudaraka Wijesinghe

You can't return a value from included file. Code in the included files are executed as they are in the main file, therefore the variables you declare and alterations do in the include file is available in the main file after the include point.

Zack

ASKER

Is there anyway to share code in a separate file without using an "include" so I can retrieve the values?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Sudaraka Wijesinghe

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Zack

ASKER

so if I move the code in the include file out of the function would it work then? I'm sorry I'm not 100% sure on what you mean "You need to include the code if you need to share it."

If i understand correctly could I use the include once feature?

Thanks!
Zack

Sudaraka Wijesinghe

Sorry, It seems I have misunderstood your question, I think there's a part missing in the code sample you posted and you include file actually carries a function called getCanCivil.
In that case forget about what I said earlier.

I see that you are passing $ownrname into the getCanCivil function and also returning a variable named $ownrname
If you want to return the value from function, call it like this:

$ownrname = getCanCivil($civil, $ownrname);

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Or, if you want the value of the variable you pass in ($ownrname) modified with in the function (same thing as above, but using by reference parameter), change the function like this:

function getCanCivil($civil, &$ownrname) {
	.
	.
	.
	$ownrname = 'assing some thing here';
	.
	.
	.
}

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Zack

ASKER

Got it working thanks!

Zack

ASKER

Ahhh ok I understand now. Then $ownrname would be an array with the two values that were called in getCanCivil($a, $b), etc?

Thanks - zack

Sudaraka Wijesinghe

Exactly, you can pass the entire $row array like that.

Zack

ASKER

awesome! thanks!