PHP provides some handful methods which can be used within your classes to intercept messages sent to undefined methods and properties .Some developers call this overloading .These methods like __construct() method which invoked when you instantiate object .Let’s explores these methods .
__get() Method
This method invoked when client attempt to read undefined method like that
class storeProducts {
public function __get($property) {
$method_name = "get{$property}";
if (method_exists($this, $method_name))
return $this->$method_name();
}
private function getPrice() {
return "25$";
}
private function getName() {
return "camera";
}
}As you can see ,I pass final string to method_exists() function which accepts an object and method name to chick if it exist or not .Then if client requests $Price property ,the getPrice() method invoked like that
$product = new storeProducts;
print $product->Price;
print $product->Name;__set() Method
This method invoked when client attempt to set value to undefined property .This solution used mostly if you declare class property as private and need to pass it’s value to custom filters before set .
class storeProducts {
private $Name;
private $Price;
public function __set($property, $value) {
$method_name = "set{$property}";
if (method_exists($this, $method_name))
return $this->$method_name($value);
}
private function setPrice($price) {
$this->Price = $price;
}
private function setName($name) {
if (!is_null($name))
$this->Name = $name;
}
}Now to set class properties ,you can use the follwing .
$product = new storeProducts;
$product->Price = "25$";
$product->Name = "Camera";
var_dump($product);__unset() Method
This method like __unset() method but it set property value to null .It is invoked when unset() is called on an undefined property
class storeProducts {
private $Name;
private $Price;
public function __unset($property) {
$method_name = "unset{$property}";
if (method_exists($this, $method_name))
return $this->$method_name();
}
private function unsetPrice() {
$this->Price = null;
}
private function unsetName() {
$this->Name = null;
}
}Now to set property to null you can do that .
$product = new storeProducts;
var_dump($product);
unset($product->Name);
var_dump($product);__isset() Method
This method invoked when client call isset() function on an undefined property .
class storeProducts {
private $Name;
private $Price;
private $Stock;
public function __isset($property) {
$method_name = "get{$property}";
return ((method_exists($this, $method_name)));
}
private function getPrice() {
return $this->Price;
}
private function getName() {
return $this->Name;
}
}Now you can test a property existance (actually for its getter) before using it .
$product = new storeProducts;
var_dump(isset($product->Name)); //return true
var_dump(isset($product->Price)); //return true
var_dump(isset($product->Stock)); //return false__call() Method
This method used to pass method of an object from another .cumbersome i know , it is like inheritance but it is more flexible .Let’s clarify things .
class store {
private $total_items = 0;
public function newProducts($items_data) {
$this->total_items = $items_data[0]['items'] + $this->total_items;
return $this->total_items;
}
}
class digitalProducts {
private $store;
public function __construct(store $store_object) {
$this->store = $store_object;
}
public function __call($method_name, $args) {
if (method_exists($this->store, $method_name))
return $this->store->$method_name($args);
}
}
class otherProducts {
private $store;
public function __construct(store $store_object) {
$this->store = $store_object;
}
public function __call($method_name, $args) {
if (method_exists($this->store, $method_name))
return $this->store->$method_name($args);
}
}
$store = new store();
$digital_products = new digitalProducts($store);
$otherProducts = new otherProducts($store);
//add some digital products
$digital_products->newProducts(array('items' => 200));
//add other products and check total
print_r($otherProducts->newProducts(array('items' => 50))); //output 250
print "<br/>";
print_r($otherProducts->newProducts(array('items' => 50))); //output 300
print "<br/>";
print_r($otherProducts->newProducts(array('items' => 200))); //output 500__destruct() Method
This method invoked just before an object is garbage collected .some developers may need to save class data to database or session ,this method will be perfect .
class storeProducts {
private $id;
private $name;
private $price;
//some cool stuff here
public function __destruct() {
if (!empty($this->id))
//save product data to session or database
return;
}
}
$product=new storeProducts();
//invoke __destruct() method
unset($product);__clone() Method
This method invoked when client attempt to copy objects .you should know that __clone() method is run on the copied objects not the original object .
class storeProducts {
private $id;
private $name;
private $price;
public function __construct($id, $name, $price) {
$this->id = $id;
$this->name = $name;
$this->price = $price;
}
public function __clone() {
//silence is golden
}
}
$product1 = new storeProducts(1, 'camera', '20$');
//create a copy of first product (it will have the same properties values)
$product2 = clone $product1;The __clone() method create a copy of objects and the this method invoked ,so any changes in properties within the context of __clone() method overrides the default values .
class storeProducts {
private $id;
private $name;
private $price;
public function __construct($id, $name, $price) {
$this->id = $id;
$this->name = $name;
$this->price = $price;
}
public function __clone() {
//change id of copied objects
$this->id = 20;
}
}
$product1 = new storeProducts(1, 'camera', '20$');
//create a copy of first product (only id will change to 20)
$product2 = clone $product1;