Parameters and arguments in PHP - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Understanding Parameters and Arguments in PHP

📖 Scenario: Imagine you are creating a simple calculator that adds two numbers. You want to write a function that takes two numbers and returns their sum.

🎯 Goal: Build a PHP function that uses parameters to accept two numbers and returns their sum. Then call the function with arguments and display the result.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a function named addNumbers with two parameters: $num1 and $num2

Call the function addNumbers with two arguments: 5 and 7

Store the result of the function call in a variable named $result

Print the value of $result

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Functions with parameters and arguments are used everywhere in programming to reuse code and pass information.

💼 Career

Understanding how to define and use functions with parameters is essential for any programming job, including web development with PHP.

1

Create a function with parameters

Write a function named addNumbers that takes two parameters: $num1 and $num2. Inside the function, return the sum of $num1 and $num2.

PHP

<?php

// Define the function addNumbers with parameters $num1 and $num2
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the function keyword to create a function. Parameters go inside the parentheses.

2

Call the function with arguments

Call the function addNumbers with the arguments 5 and 7. Store the result in a variable named $result.

PHP

<?php

function addNumbers($num1, $num2) {
    return $num1 + $num2;
}

// Call addNumbers with 5 and 7, store in $result
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the function name followed by parentheses with the values inside to call it.

3

Print the result

Print the value of the variable $result using echo.

PHP

<?php

function addNumbers($num1, $num2) {
    return $num1 + $num2;
}

$result = addNumbers(5, 7);

// Print the value of $result
// Your code here

Need a hint?

Use echo followed by the variable name to display its value.

4

Run and see the output

Run the complete program to see the output. It should display the sum of 5 and 7.

PHP

<?php

function addNumbers($num1, $num2) {
    return $num1 + $num2;
}

$result = addNumbers(5, 7);
echo $result;

// Run the program to see the output
// Your code here

Need a hint?

The output should be the number 12 because 5 + 7 = 12.