Tip: Autoloading class files

Karl · 09-06-2007, 12:07 AM

You can autoload class files using the __autoload() function. Simply define the function with a single argument (this will be the name of the class) .

Code:

function __autoload($szClassName)
{
		$szFilePath = "lib/$szClassName.php";
		
		if (file_exists($szFilePath))
		{
			include_once($szFilePath);
		}
}

Now if you try to instantiate a class that is unknown, PHP will first try to load the class file via the code we setup in the __autoload funciton before throwing a fatal error.

Salathe · 09-06-2007, 01:37 PM

Your code snippet will not work as-is. You assign $szFileName but then use $szFilePath in the file_exists and include_once calls.

Karl · 09-06-2007, 01:43 PM

ah yes lol, sorry. Wrote it from the top of my head, guess I should have checked it first. All fixed up now :)