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unset

(PHP 4, PHP 5, PHP 7, PHP 8)

unset — unset() a given variable

Description

unset(mixed $var, mixed ...$vars): void

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.

Example #1 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:

Example #2 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.

Example #3 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.

Example #4 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

No value is returned.

Examples

Example #5 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

Note: Because this is a language construct and not a function, it cannot be called using variable functions, or named arguments.

Note:

It is possible to unset object properties visible in the current context.

If declared, __get() is called when accessing an unset property, and __set() is called when setting an unset property.

Note:

It is not possible to unset $this inside an object method.

Note:

When using unset() on inaccessible object properties, the __unset() overloading method will be called, if declared.

See Also