Constant Management class: Define constant values that can be updated

constmgr

1. description
2. example
3. author
4. credits
5. conclusion


1. description
=================================

constmgr is used to define constants and update their values on the fly.

1) make an instance of constmgr class

2) you MUST set/define constants using the constmgr class

3) accessing the value:
	${SOME_CONSTANT}
	or
	$obj->get( "DRAGON" );

Note:
	possible common mistakes

	1) accessing directly: SOME_CONSTANT after its definition with constmgr class
		e.g.:
			$obj =& new constmgr();

			// this method call won't update the value
			$obj->set( "DRAGON", "DRAGON value" );

			// WRONG! way
			print "defined const:" . DRAGON . "\n";

			// RIGHT! ways

			// 1)
			print "New value:" . ${DRAGON} . "\n"; // always use this style to access the new value

			// 2)
			print "Get: " . $obj->get( "DRAGON" ). "\n\n";

	2) defining SOME_CONSTANT before defining it with constmgr class

		e.g.:

		define( "DRAGON", "first DRAGON value" );

		$obj =& new constmgr();

		// this method call won't update the value
		$obj->set( "DRAGON", "DRAGON value" );

2. example
=================================

please check the example file in the same directory


3. author
=================================

Svetoslav Marinov <[email protected]>

He is studying computer sciences and technologies in technical university of Sofia, Bulgaria.
He has also a master degree in Electrical Engineering department in same university.

At this moment he works for a big hosting company. In his free time
he works on http://devquickref.com - Developers' quick reference site which contains
( in future ) useful code snippets,tips,tricks etc.

bugs,comments,improvements are always welcome.


4. credits
=================================

	I was inspired to made this class when checking php's online docs at
	http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.variables.variable.php

	************************** example **************************
	rafael at fuchs inf br
	21-Mar-2005 11:08
	You can use constants in variable variables, like I show below. This works fine:

	<?
	define("TEST","Fuchs");
	$Fuchs = "Test";

	echo TEST . "<BR>";
	echo ${TEST};
	?>

	output:

	Fuchs
	Test
	************************** example **************************


5. conclusion
=================================

	when accessing constants with style like this one ${DRAGON} may be a little bit
	annoying for you but it is a matter of choice.

	if you find this package useful use it.

	all the best!
	Svetoslav