PHP Variable Scope Static properties and variables
Example
Static class properties that are defined with the public visibility are functionally the same as global variables. They can be accessed from anywhere the class is defined.
class SomeClass {
public static int $counter = 0;
}
// The static $counter variable can be read/written from anywhere
// and doesn't require an instantiation of the class
SomeClass::$counter += 1;
Functions can also define static variables inside their own scope. These static variables persist through multiple function calls, unlike regular variables defined in a function scope. This can be a very easy and simple way to implement the Singleton design pattern:
class Singleton {
public static function getInstance() {
// Static variable $instance is not deleted when the function ends
static $instance;
// Second call to this function will not get into the if-statement,
// Because an instance of Singleton is now stored in the $instance
// variable and is persisted through multiple calls
if (!$instance) {
// First call to this function will reach this line,
// because the $instance has only been declared, not initialized
$instance = new Singleton();
}
return $instance;
}
}
$instance1 = Singleton::getInstance();
$instance2 = Singleton::getInstance();
// Comparing objects with the '===' operator checks whether they are
// the same instance. Will print 'true', because the static $instance
// variable in the getInstance() method is persisted through multiple calls
var_dump($instance1 === $instance2);
