How do I populate a variable using a function? - php

Question

I have the code below on a page basically what I'm trying to do is fill $content variable using the function pagecontent. Anything inside pagecontent function should be added to the $content variable and then my theme system will take that $content and put it in theme. From the answers below it seems you guys think I want the html and php inside the actual function I don't.
This function below is for pagecontent and is what I'm currently trying to use to populate $content.
function pagecontent()
{
return $pagecontent;
}
<?php
//starts the pagecontent and anything inside should be inside the variable is what I want
$content = pagecontent() {
?>
I want anything is this area whether it be PHP or HTML added to $content using pagecontent() function above.
<?php
}///this ends pagecontent
echo functional($content, 'Home');
?>

Answer 1

I think you're looking for output buffering.
<?
// Start output buffering
ob_start();
?> Do all your text here
<? echo 'Or even PHP output ?>
And some more, including <b>HTML</b>
<?
// Get the buffered content into your variable
$content = ob_get_contents();
// Clear the buffer.
ob_get_clean();
// Feed $content to whatever template engine.
echo functional($content, 'Home');

Answer 2

As you are obviously a beginner here's a much simplified, working version to get you started.
function pageContent()
{
$html = '<h1>Added from pageContent function</h1>';
$html .= '<p>Funky eh?</p>';
return $html;
}
$content = pageContent();
echo $content;
The rest of the code you post is superfluous to your problem. Get the bare minimum working first then move on from there.

Answer 3

Way 1:
function page_content(){
ob_start(); ?>
<h1>Hello World!</h1>
<?php
$buffer = ob_get_contents();
ob_end_clean();
return $buffer;
}
$content .= page_content();
Way 2:
function page_content( & $content ){
ob_start(); ?>
<h1>Hello World!</h1>
<?php
$buffer = ob_get_contents();
ob_end_clean();
$content .= $buffer;
}
$content = '';
page_content( $content );
Way 3:
function echo_page_content( $name = 'John Doe' ){
return <<<END
<h1>Hello $name!</h1>
END;
}
echo_page_content( );