Returning by-reference is useful when you want to use a function to find which variable a reference should be bound to. When returning references, use this syntax:
<?php
function &find_var ($param)
{
...code...
return $found_var;
}
$foo =& find_var ($bar);
$foo->x = 2;
?> |
Note: Unlike parameter passing, here you have to use & in both places - to indicate that you return by-reference, not a copy as usual, and to indicate that reference binding, rather than usual assignment, should be done for $foo.