Why is my Variable Value not carrying through?

I have a tiny file that sets some variables...

Code:

---

<? $artist_id = 46;
  $header = 'artist-header-nav.php';
  include_once('artist-template-n.php'); ?>

---

and then runs a php script that uses the variables. For some reason the $header variable isn't recognized in the template file...

Code:

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<div id="pageheader"><? include('$header'); ?></div>

---

What am I missing? Thanks! erin :)

I think you would need to do this:

Code:

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<div id="pageheader"><? include($header); ?></div>

---

If that doesn't work, try to simply echo the variable $header to see if it is getting passed through to the script.

Hope this helps.

@thetestingsite
It will defently work. lol.

@nile, I know it should work; however, there are some cases in which that just isn't the case. It is always nice to have a backup plan when troubleshooting something (especially in a case like this).

Well yea, I guess so... :rolleyes:

You guys kinda lost me a bit. I tried this... is that what you meant? Anyway, it didn't work.

Code:

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<? include('echo $header.".php";'); ?>

---

Also tried this... and it didn't work.

Code:

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<? include('echo $header;'); ?>

---

Actually, what I suggested was if this doesn't work:

Code:

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<?php include($header); ?>

---

then try this instead to see if the variable is getting passed:

Code:

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<?php echo $header; ?>

---

Hope this helps.

Just do this:

Code:

---

<div id="pageheader"><? include($header); ?></div>

---

I did try echoing the variable and it gave me the correct filename. So then I did what Nile suggested:

Code:

---

<? include($header); ?>

---

and it worked!! Thanks so much.

What I don't understand is this... if I were not using variables, I would do the command like this:

Code:

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<? include('artist-header-nav.php'); ?>

---

Replacing the variable above, it ends up being:

Code:

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<? include(artist-header-nav.php); ?>

---

So does that mean I shouldn't (or don't have to) use the single quotes normally? That seems to be what was making it not work.

Thanks so much for helping me. erin :)

ok, basic PHP tutorial:

when using include or require functions, if you do something like this:

Code:

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include('$header');

---

it looks for the file name $header; however, if you do this:

Code:

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include($header);

---

it then includes the file that is assigned to the variable $header.

Hope this helps.

Didn't see testingsites post.

Nile, I just realized that your "signature" confused me - I thought it was the answer to my question so I tried to apply it to my code -- sorry, you must have wondered what the heck I was doing.

TTS, I understand that the quotes turn it into a literal. I am just curious that the result seems to be bad syntax because when the variable is replaced, you end up with:

Code:

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include(filename.php);

---

instead of:

Code:

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include('filename.php');

---

I thought using the quotes around filename.php was proper syntax. But I'm not sure.
Thanks, erin :)