What is autoloading classes in PHP?
Autoloading is the process of automatically loading PHP classes without explicitly loading them with the require() , require_once() , include() , or include_once() functions. It’s necessary to name your class files exactly the same as your classes. The class Views would be placed in Views.
What does auto loading mean?
Autoloading is the means of using a mechanical device to chamber a round or shell in a projectile weapon. It may refer to: Autoloader, a munition-loading device fitted to large-calibre guns on armoured fighting vehicles or warships.
What is an interface in PHP?
A PHP interface defines a contract which a class must fulfill. If a PHP class is a blueprint for objects, an interface is a blueprint for classes. Any class implementing a given interface can be expected to have the same behavior in terms of what can be called, how it can be called, and what will be returned.
How do autoloaders work?
An autoloader extracts a shell and propellant charge from the ammunition storage rack/compartment and loads it into a magazine or belt, if the gun has one, or directly into the chamber of the gun if it does not. It often replaces a human loader.
How is autoloader used to load classes in PHP?
To overcome this problem, it would be ideal to load classes only when they are actually needed. That’s where autoloading comes in. Basically, when you use a class in your application, the autoloader checks if it’s already loaded, and if not, the autoloader loads the necessary class into memory.
Do you have to use require in autoloader?
You should not have to use require_once inside the autoloader, as if the class is not found it wouldn’t be trying to look for it by using the autoloader. Just use require (), which will be better on performance as well as it does not have to check if it is unique. Autoloading plain functions is not supported by PHP at the time of writing.
When to use autoloading in a static class?
Because static classes have no constructor I use this to initialize such classes. The function init will (if available) be called when you first use the class. The class must not be included before, otherwise the init-function wont be called as autoloading is not used.
How to include foobar class file without autoloader?
Without autoloading, you would need to use the require or include statement to include the FooBar class file. The autoloader implementation is pretty simple in the above example, but you could build on this by registering multiple autoloaders for different kinds of classes.