A static method allows us to use the method without creating the object first. This means that we can use the scope resolution operator :: to use the method. Static methods can not be accessed by using the normal arrow -> on classes.
class new_class
{
//New static method
public static new_method(){
}
}
To access the new_method() we need to use the :: operator.
new_class::new_method();
If we try using it the normal way it will throw an error.
$newClass = new new_class();
$newClass->new_method();
You can use the :: operator to access non-static methods will throw a E_STRICT level warning. As static methods can't be accessed from the a created object we can not use the $this variable to access the method inside the class, instead you need to use self::new_method.
<?php
class Foo
{
public static $my_static = 'foo';
public function staticValue() {
return self::$my_static;
}
}
class Bar extends Foo
{
public function fooStatic() {
return parent::$my_static;
}
}
?>
When to use a static method is entirely up to you, but I tend to use them when I have no business logic to put in the method and their main functionality will be to output a piece of code or a variable. Static method can be up to 33% faster than normal methods, so if they don't need any business logic these are perfect for outputting data.
class static_method_class
{
public static output_header_tag(){
echo '<head>';
}
public static output_end _header_tag(){
echo '</head>';
}
public static output_body_tag(){
echo '<body>';
}
public static output_end_body_tag(){
echo '</body>';
}
}
$static_method_class::output_header_tag() //Output <head>
$static_method_class::output_end_header_tag() //Output </head>
$static_method_class::output_body_tag() //Output <body>
$static_method_class::output_end_body_tag() //Output </body>
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