Passing arrays to increase function parameter readability

[joecommodore]

How does this sound?

instead of using the standard method of passing mixed data to
functions, where you have to track back to the function to see what
the data structure is...

$result = myFunction( array( $id, array('nolog', 'blank'), $data);

Instead pass an array with the elements labeled:

$result = myFunction( array(
'id' => $id
,'options'=> array('nolog', 'blank')
,'data' => $data
));

Any opinions?

[Jerry Stuckle]

I guess it depends on what you need. I don't see anything wrong with
it, but am struggling to come up with a real-world reason to use it over
a standard parameter list (with default values, if necessary). But then
I don't often pass mixed data to functions. I find it has a tendency to
overly-complicate the code, and I always code for clarity first.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstu...@attglobal.net
==================

[C. (http://symcbean.blogspot.com/)]

Yes there's lots out there. And several languages which use named
parameters. Have google.

C.

[Danny Wilkerson]

very interesting, but not as fun/unnecessary as sending an object /
smiles

$result = myFunction((object)array(
'id' => $id,

'options'=> array('nolog', 'blank'),
'data' => $data
));

$test = (object)array(
'id' => 'hi',

'options'=> array('nolog', 'blank'),

'data' => 'stuff'
);

echo $test->hi;

[Danny Wilkerson]

echo $test->id; //lol oops

[Danny Wilkerson]