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Dennis Robinson from basnetworks dot net ¶
16 years ago
This function comes in handy, and I believe is the only solution, when you have an optional parameter that can take any type of data.

For example:

<?php

// $data can be of any type, including null
function my_function($name, $data = null)
{
    if ($data !== null)
    {
        // Do something with $data
        // If you call my_function('something'), this WILL NOT be reached
        // If you call my_function('something', null), this WILL NOT be reached
    }
}

?>

The problem with the above function is that you will never be able to use null as the value for $data.  To fix this, use func_num_args() like so:

<?php

// $data can be of any type, including null
function my_function($name, $data = null)
{
    if (func_num_args() >= 2)
    {
        // Do something with $data
        // If you call my_function('something'), this WILL NOT be reached
        // If you call my_function('something', null), this WILL be reached
    }
}

?>

This solution works because func_num_args() reports exactly how many arguments were passed when the function was called.  It does not take into account when default argument values are used.
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