Hmmm, that looks to me like you're trying to solve a problem in PHP with a c/c++c/# overloading solution. I'd give the builder pattern a try instead: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Builder_pattern On 24 March 2010 13:01, Richard Quadling <rquadling@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Hi. > > I have a scenario where I would _like_ to have multiple constructors > for a class. > > Each constructor has a greater number of parameters than the previous one. > > e.g. > > <?php > class myClass { > __construct(string $Key) // use key to get the complex details. > __construct(string $Part1, string $Part2, string $Part3) // > Alternative route to the complex details. > __construct(array $Complex) // All the details > } > > Essentially, SimpleKey is a key to a set of predefined rules. Part1, 2 > and 3 are the main details and well documented defaults for the rest > of the rules. Complex is all the rules. > > Each constructor will end up with all the parts being known ($Key, > $Part1, $Part2, $Part3, $Complex). > > But, PHP doesn't support multiple constructors. > > Initially I thought about this ... > > __construct($Key_Part1_Complex, $Part2=Null, $Part3=Null) > > But then documenting the first param as being 1 of three different > meanings is pretty much a no go. > > So I'm looking for a clean and easily understood way to provide this. > > I won't be the only user of the code and not everyone has the same > knowledge level, hence a mechanism that is easily documentable. > > I think I may need a factory with multiple methods (FactoryKey, > FactoryPart1To3, FactoryComplex). Make the factory a static/singleton. > All these methods eventually call the real class with the complex > rule. > > Is that obvious enough? > > Regards, > > Richard. > > > -- > ----- > Richard Quadling > "Standing on the shoulders of some very clever giants!" > EE : http://www.experts-exchange.com/M_248814.html > EE4Free : http://www.experts-exchange.com/becomeAnExpert.jsp > Zend Certified Engineer : http://zend.com/zce.php?c=ZEND002498&r=213474731 > ZOPA : http://uk.zopa.com/member/RQuadling > > -- > PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) > To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php > > -- <hype> WWW: http://plphp.dk / http://plind.dk LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/plind Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fake51 BeWelcome: Fake51 Couchsurfing: Fake51 </hype> -- PHP General Mailing List (http://www.php.net/) To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
