Can a function initialize a variable in PHP?

Question

Without specifically doing so,

Like:

function init($var){
  $var = 'x';
}

function a(){
  init($foo);

  echo $foo; // should be x

}

Something like the list() function :)

Answer 1

Pass by reference:

function init(&$var){
  $var = 'x';
}

Answer 2

Sure. You can pass the parameter by reference. So you have to change this

function init($var)

into this:

function init(&$var)