unset

Description

unset() destroys the specified variables.

The behavior of unset() inside of a function can vary depending on what type of variable you are attempting to destroy.

If a globalized variable is unset() inside of a function, only the local variable is destroyed. The variable in the calling environment will retain the same value as before unset() was called.

Using unset()

<?php
function destroy_foo() 
{
    global $foo;
    unset($foo);
}

$foo = 'bar';
destroy_foo();
echo $foo;
?>

To unset() a global variable inside of a function, then use the $GLOBALS array to do so:

unset() a Global Variable

<?php
function foo() 
{
    unset($GLOBALS['bar']);
}

$bar = "something";
foo();
?>

If a variable that is PASSED BY REFERENCE is unset() inside of a function, only the local variable is destroyed. The variable in the calling environment will retain the same value as before unset() was called.

unset() with Reference

<?php
function foo(&$bar) 
{
    unset($bar);
    $bar = "blah";
}

$bar = 'something';
echo "$bar\n";

foo($bar);
echo "$bar\n";
?>

If a static variable is unset() inside of a function, unset() destroys the variable only in the context of the rest of a function. Following calls will restore the previous value of a variable.

unset() with Static Variable

<?php
function foo()
{
    static $bar;
    $bar++;
    echo "Before unset: $bar, ";
    unset($bar);
    $bar = 23;
    echo "after unset: $bar\n";
}

foo();
foo();
foo();
?>

Parameters

var

The variable to be unset.

vars

Further variables.

Return Values

Void

Examples

unset() example

<?php
// destroy a single variable
unset($foo);

// destroy a single element of an array
unset($bar['quux']);

// destroy more than one variable
unset($foo1, $foo2, $foo3);
?>

Notes Language-construct

See Also

• isset()
• empty()
• __unset()
• array_splice()
• (unset) casting