PHP create_function, function without semicolon?

Question

basically, what i want to know is, for the second parameter in the create_function function, is there anyway to pass a string without a semicolon? or will it not work.

example:

taken from php.net
create_function('$a,$b', 'return "CRCs: " . crc32($a) . " , ".crc32(b);'),

notice that there is a semicolon in the string. is there any possible way someone can enter a function without a semicolon that will still run/evaluate?

Answer 1

No it is not possible. PHP is semicolon-sensitive, that you must use it to terminate every statements before right braces. I even tried regular function like this:

function f() {
  return 1
}

and it spitted out a syntax error, unlike in JavaScript.

Answer 2

With create_function() you're creating an anonymous function. The second parameter is a string that is the code of the function (like any other function you'd write). It doesn't have to end in a semicolon, for example:

$coolfunction = create_function('$thing', 'if ($thing > 0) {return "Yes"; } else { return "no!"; }');

echo $coolfunction(1) . ' and ' . $coolfunction(-1);

Ends in a '}' and prints out: Yes and no!

Answer 3

You should always sanitize any user input before using it. I suggest that you look for the semicolon in the user input, if it is missing, append it.

If the user can enter anything here you still have a problem if he enters an invalid function name or just rubbish.

You can validate with preg_match() (although I'm not an expert on preg so I will let someone else help you out there).

Answer 4

First, why do you need that ? That's a really dirty way to create a function. Hope because you want to make a interface where people can directly create a function (and this will be only for you or it'll be a big security issue). I don't really get how you want to use that.

Anyway, for you question, you don't have to care if it's working or not. I mean, just test if it's working, if not just put by yourself a semicolon. It's just a simply test on a string.