__get() Method
__get() is a magic method: it is utilized for reading data from inaccessible, either protected or private, or non-existing properties.
That way, it is possible to create dynamically properties, without hardcoding them.
The __get() method is usually paired with the __set() method.
The method signature is public function __get(string $name): mixed. The $name argument is the name of the property being interacted with.
The method must be declared as public, or it is implicit. Arguments cannot be passed by reference. Property overloading only works in object context and will not be triggered in static context.
__get() is never called when chaining assignments together like $a = $obj->b = 8;. PHP will not call an overloaded method from within the same overloaded method: writing return $this->foo inside of __get() will return null and raise an E_WARNING if there is no foo property defined, rather than calling __get() a second time.
<?php
class X {
private $values = ['a' => 1,
'b' => 2,
];
// Checks the dictionary, or return 0
function __get($name) {
if (isset($this->values[$name])) {
return $this->values[$name];
}
return 0;
}
}
?>