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Doc Bug #50110 Static (File Scope) Variables
Submitted: 2009-11-07 05:07 UTC Modified: 2018-07-08 19:38 UTC
Votes:4
Avg. Score:4.8 ± 0.4
Reproduced:1 of 2 (50.0%)
Same Version:1 (100.0%)
Same OS:1 (100.0%)
From: n8grndr1087 at optonline dot net Assigned:
Status: Verified Package: Scripting Engine problem
PHP Version: * OS: *
Private report: No CVE-ID: None
View Developer Edit
 [2009-11-07 05:07 UTC] n8grndr1087 at optonline dot net 
Description:
------------
Global variables should be able to be declared 'static'.
Static globals, like in C, would only be accessible from the current file's scope. This would be a good way to protect internal variables used behind the scenes in a particular file. 

If there is any effective way to protect variables that I overlooked, outside of PHP classes, let me know. I understand that the possibility of this depends on how the include/file processing mechanism works.

Reproduce code:
---------------
myvar.inc: 
<?php
static $myvar = 1;
function get_myvar()
{
  global $myvar; // Since its not a true global, this may be different
  return $myvar;
}
function set_myvar($v)
{
  global $myvar;
  $myvar = $v;
}
?>

test.php: 
<?php
include('myvar.inc');
echo get_myvar().'<br/>';
set_myvar(0);
$myvar = 10000;
echo get_myvar();
?>

Expected result:
----------------
1
0

Actual result:
--------------
1
10000

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 [2009-11-07 18:19 UTC] n8grndr1087 at optonline dot net 
This feature would also be useful for static (file scope) functions as well.
 [2010-12-17 12:13 UTC] jani@php.net
-Package: Feature/Change Request +Package: Scripting Engine problem -Operating System: Unix +Operating System: * -PHP Version: 5.2.11 +PHP Version: *
 [2012-08-11 17:44 UTC] youdontneedme at o2 dot pl 
There is no information about such usage in documentation. (well, maybe that's why it does not work)

But if such usage is not documented why syntax:

static $age = 18;

is *valid* outside class?

I agree, this should have same consequences as in C lang.
 [2018-07-08 19:38 UTC] cmb@php.net
-Status: Open +Status: Verified -Type: Feature/Change Request +Type: Documentation Problem
 [2018-07-08 19:38 UTC] cmb@php.net 
Static variables in the global scope work just like
inside function scope: the are initialized at most once,
see <https://3v4l.org/MpDqn>.

However, a (static) variable which is declared in file scope,
may not necessarily be declared in the global scope, e.g.

test.php
    <?php
    function foo() {
        include './a.php';
    }
    var_dump($bar);
    ?>

a.php
    <?php
    static $bar = 42;
    ?>

I agree that this should be documented.

However, changing the current behavior would constitute a BC
break, and as such would need discussion on the internals@ mailing
list, and possibly the RFC process.
 
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