variables in heredoc

I just started using this heredoc syntax after reading about it. Pretty handy and easy to use.
One thing I dont understand though.
The following will fail:

Code:

---

$ret_val = <<<EOT
        $_SESSION['usr_sal'];
EOT;

---

With a

Quote:

---

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_ENCAPSED_AND_WHITESPACE, expecting T_STRING or T_VARIABLE or T_NUM_STRING

---

error.
However, this will work fine:

Code:

---

$var = $_SESSION['usr_sal'];
      $ret_val = <<<EOT
        $var
EOT;

---

I dont get it...both are essentially the same thing, or not?
The same thing goes for constants I defined in included files.

Try:

PHP Code:

---

$ret_val = <<<EOT
        {$_SESSION['usr_sal']}
EOT; 


---

Heredoc is treated like double quoted strings, without the double quotes, so in theory that should work.

wow..that was the fastest reply i ever seen...thanks!
just closed my ide (exactly midnight....i'll call it a day), so will try it out in morning.

That work with the session variable, but not with a CONSTANT.

Code:

---

      $ret_val = <<<EOT
      {_WELCOME_} {$_SESSION['usr_sal']}
EOT;

---

will print out like : _WELCOME_ StrangerInBeijing
but

Code:

---

$welcome = _WELCOME_;
      $ret_val = <<<EOT
      $welcome {$_SESSION['usr_sal']}
EOT;

---

works just fine and give "Welcome StrangerInBeijing".

btw:

Code:

---

{_WELCOME_ $_SESSION['usr_sal']}

---

will give an error

Yes, I'm afraid you can't use constants in heredoc as there's no way to differentiate it from normal textual content. I'd recommend simply using the second method that you proposed:

PHP Code:

---

$welcome = _WELCOME_;
      $ret_val = <<<EOT
      $welcome {$_SESSION['usr_sal']}
EOT; 


---

mystery solved then...thanks again! :wave: