Assign property value using an anonymous function - php

Question

My class is like this:
<?php
class ExampleClass{
private $example_property = false;
public function __construct(){
$this->example_property = function() {
$this->example_property = 1;
return $this->example_property;
};
}
public function get_example_property(){
return $this->example_property;
}
}
$example = new ExampleClass();
echo $example->get_example_property();
Property $example_property must be false until you call it, then, the first time it is called, I want to assign 1 to it. What's wrong with my code?
Error: Error Object of class Closure could not be converted to string on line number 20.

Answer 1

I just tried to play a little bit with your code.
To make it possible, you'll have to find out, whether your variable is a function (defined in your __construct) or the number set by this function
<?php
class ExampleClass{
private $example_property = false;
public function __construct(){
$this->example_property = function() {
$this->example_property = 1;
return $this->example_property;
};
}
public function get_example_property(){
$func = $this->example_property;
if(is_object($func) && get_class($func)=='Closure'){
return $func();
}
return $func;
}
}
$example = new ExampleClass();
echo $example->get_example_property(); //returning 1
echo $example->get_example_property(); //returning 1 again
But anyway, I don't see any sense in doing this.
The typical solution would be something like this:
class ExampleClass{
private $example_property = false;
public function __construct(){
//usually initializing properties goes here.
//$this->example_property = 1;
}
public function get_example_property(){
// I think you want a value to be initialzed only if needed.
// so then it can go here.
if(!$this->example_property) {
$this->example_property = 1; //initialize it, if needed
}
return $this->example_property;
}
}
$example = new ExampleClass();
echo $example->get_example_property(); //returning 1
echo $example->get_example_property(); //returning 1 again