Functions in PHP

Introduction

PHP is composed of a set of one or more functions. Functions divide large programs into smaller, easier to handle pieces. Each function normally performs one specific task. Functions are used to reduce the code in the programming i.e. reusability. Functions can be placed anywhere in a page. PHP has more than 700 built-in functions.

Types of Functions

In this article I will describe only three types of functions, which are as follows:

• Simple Functions
• Functions with Parameter
• Functions with Return values

Simple Functions

A Simple function does not take any arguments (parameters) or values. The function name should start with a letter or underscore (_), but not a number.

Syntax

   function functionName()
   {
     message ;
   }

Example

<?php
function CompnyName()
{
echo "MCN Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Noida.";
} 
echo "My company name is ";
CompnyName();
?>

Output

In the above example we build a CompnyName() function and print a message inside this function. This function is called later for printing the message.

Functions with Parameter

We can add arguments (parameters) to a function. Using parameters, we can add more functionally to a function. An argument is just like a variable of PHP. An argument (parameter) is specified inside the parenthesis of a function.

Syntax

   function functionName (argument1,argument2)
   {
      message ;
   }

Example1

<?php
 function CompnyName ($fullname) // one argument i.e. $fullname
 {
 echo $fullname;
 }
 echo "My company name is ";
 CompnyName ("MCN Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Noida.");
 ?>

Output

In the above example we build a CompnyName() function and an argument as a $fullname. This argument shows the message when you write a message in this function.

Example2

<?php
 function sum ($X, $Y) // two argument i.e. $X and $Y
 {
 $Z=$X + $Y;
 echo "X=$X, Y=$Y, <br> Sum=$Z ";
 }
 sum(3,4);
 ?>

Output

In the above example we build a sum() function and two arguments as $X and $Y. These arguments i.e. $X and $Y takes the values, when you the values in this function.

Functions with Return values

In these types of functions, a function returns some values through the argument (parameter). Remember that a function should return at least one value.

Example1

<?php
 function sum ($X, $Y)
 {
 $Z=$X + $Y;
 return $Z;
 }
 echo "The Sum of 3 and 4  =  ".sum(3,4);
 ?>

Output

In the above example we build a sum() function and two arguments as $X and $Y. Now we declare a variable $Z, which takes a sum of $X and $Y then we will return $Z. Which shows the sum of X and y. In the above function we ed 3 and 4, which take by $X and $Y and returns the sum of these value to the variable $Z.

Example2

<?php
 function sum ($X, $Y)
 {
 $Z=$X + $Y;
 return $Z;
 }
 $X=5;
 $Y=7;
 $Sum=sum ($X,$Y); // assign the value of Z to $Sum
 echo "The Sum of 5 and 7  =  ".$Sum;
 ?>

Output

In the above example we build a sum() function and two arguments as $X and $Y. Now we declare a variable $Z, which takes to sum of $X and $Y then we will return $Z. Which shows the sum of X and y. In this example we assigned the value to $X and $Y i.e. 5 and 7 respectively. The sum of these values are returned by $Z to the $sum.

Conclusion

So in this article you saw types of functions and the use of functions in PHP. Using this article one can easily understand the concept of functions in PHP.

Some Useful Resources

• Arrays in PHP
• File uploading in PHP using XAMPP
• Working with PHP functions with XAMPP
  
• Exception handling in PHP: Part 1
• Exception handling in PHP: Part 2