Cannot use $this as global variable

Description

The pseudo-variable $this is automatically available inside every method of a class, and refers to the current object. It is not possible to import $this into the global symbol table using the global keyword. $this is special and not a regular variable that may be made global.

Example

<?php

class X {
    function foo() {
        global $this;
    }
}

(new X)->foo();

?>

Alternatives

• Use $this directly inside the method, without importing it as global.
• Pass the object as a parameter to the function that needs it.

Related error messages

• cannot-re-assign-$this
• using-$this-when-not-in-object-context
• cannot-use-auto-global-as-lexical-variable

Changed Behavior

This error may appear following an evolution in behavior, in previous versions. See