Multiple parameters

PHP course · Beginner · Lesson 79/116

Learn to define multiple parameters and call them in order.

Multiple parameters

A function can take multiple parameters. Parameters are separated by commas inside the parentheses and each has its own name.

Example: function formatName($first, $last) { return $first . " " . $last; }. There are two parameters: $first and $last. Arguments match in order: in formatName("Alex", "Brown") "Alex" goes to $first and "Brown" to $last.

Parameter order matters

Arguments match parameters by position: the first argument goes to the first parameter, the second to the second. Wrong order gives a wrong result.

For example in function divide($a, $b) { return $a / $b; } the call divide(10, 2) returns 5; but divide(2, 10) returns 0.2. With positional parameters, always check which argument lands in which parameter.

Exercise Join first and last name

Define a function formatName with parameters $first and $last. In the body write return $first . " " . $last;. Then print the result with echo formatName("Alex", "Brown") . "\n";.

Show example solution

Define function formatName($first, $last) { ... }, put return $first . " " . $last; in the body, then call with echo formatName("Alex", "Brown") . "\n";.
Example solution:
<?php
// Define formatName and call it
function formatName($first, $last) {
    return $first . " " . $last;
}
echo formatName("Alex", "Brown") . "\n";

Test yourself

Complete the two-parameter function

function add(____) { return $a + $b; }

Show answer

function add($a, $b) { return $a + $b; }

What is the output of the following code?
```
function formatName($first, $last) {
    return $first . " " . $last;
}
echo formatName("Alex", "Brown");
```
- Alex Brown
- Brown Alex
- AlexBrown
- Alex, Brown
Show answer

Alex Brown — Correct. The first argument goes to $first and the second to $last.
Match multi-parameter concepts

Comma

Separates parameters
Order

Arguments match parameters in order
formatName($first, $last)

Two-parameter function

Multiple parameters