Constants, define(), and HTML

Amulet · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-05, 06:27 AM

I want to set up some constants using PHP's define() function to use in HTML pages. I thought I knew how to do this, but I'm missing something. I assumed you could simply create a file of defines, let's say it's called "global.php," and might look like this:

PHP Code:


			
define('_1WEEK','1 week');

define('_2WEEKS','2 weeks');

define('_30DAYS','30 days');

define('_EMAIL','E-mail address');

And in a separate HTML file, I thought it was supposed to be done something like this:

(Imagine this text is in an HTML file)
Wherever you see the constant name, it would be replaced by the definition, like if I type {_1WEEK}, you'll see it replaced with the text defined for that name, so it would say "1 week" there instead.

I have tried several things, but I don't seem to be able to do it. Basically, I just want to be able to create a separate file of constants, call it to my HTML pages, and have it replace the constant name with the text I define it as. Do I need some sort of small script to get this to work? It seemed simple enough, but I'm just guessing from seeing it used in some CMS scripts (like PHP-Nuke). Can someone tell me how to do this, and what I use (such as php include() or require() ) to call the file? Thanks.

NeverMind · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-05, 09:26 AM

ok Jennifer, in order to use the constants you need to have them inside php tags in php executable file..
using constants in pure html files (like file.html) will not work unless you configure the server to parse it as php file..
also you have to be sure that the constant name is not inside any quotes! meaning this is wrong:

PHP Code:


			
echo "it is _1WEEK"; // will print: it is _1WEEK

the right thing is:

PHP Code:


			
echo 'it is '. _1WEEK; // will print: it is 1 week

doing so inside html (in a .php file) would look like:

PHP Code:


			
<?php

include_once('my_constants.php');

?>

<html>

<head></head>

<body>

it is <?php echo _1WEEK; ?>, so whatever!

</body>

</html>

JBChris · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-05, 01:45 PM

Or you could return the page as a string ($page) and use:

PHP Code:


			
str_replace('{_1WEEK}', '1 week', $page);

To do this you'll have to know how to open and work with files though. If you need help, ask away.

NeverMind · #4 (**permalink**) 01-10-05, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBChris

Or you could return the page as a string ($page) and use:

PHP Code:


			
str_replace('{_1WEEK}', '1 week', $page);

To do this you'll have to know how to open and work with files though. If you need help, ask away.

with this, you are doubling the work needed!
why do you define a constant then put it in a page then str_replace() it!?
str_replace() it from the begining ..

Amulet · #5 (**permalink**) 01-10-05, 05:11 AM

Thanks, I think I know what to do. I forgot to mention that my HTML files are saved as .php files, but I was trying to differentiate web page files from the php definitions.

JBChris · #6 (**permalink**) 01-10-05, 04:55 PM

Yeah, that's what I was saying. I guess I didn't make that clear.