Dynamically define PHP class using a variable

Question

I want to create a class of which I don't know the name. What is the best way to accomplish the following scenario in PHP?

$class_name = 'SomeClassName';
$code = "class {$class_name}_Control extends WP_Customize_Control {}";
eval( $code );

Thanks.

Answer 1

I just tested this and it works fine. And if you only need the class temporarily you can always throw an unlink() at the bottom. No exec() required.

<?php

// your dynamic classname
$fart = "poot";

// define your class, don't forget the "<?php"
$class = <<<YOYOYOHOMIE
<?php
class $fart{
    public \$poop = "poop";
}
YOYOYOHOMIE;

// write the class to a file.
$filename = "dynamicClass".time().".php";
$fh = fopen($filename,"w+");
fwrite($fh, $class);
fclose($fh);

// require the file
require $filename;

// now your dynamically generated class is available
$tird = new $fart;
echo "<pre>";
var_dump($tird);