PHP Function Reference (PHPfr) lets you quickly look up function definitions using a downloaded copy of the online documentation from PHP.net.
PHPfr also includes an extensive cheat sheet of common PHP syntax and variables as well as an interactive date formatter.
PHPfr is inspired by the venerable shareware app, PHP Function Index, written by Wolfgang Ante of ARTIS Software. I paid for my copy of PHPfi long ago, but thought it would be even more convenient to have similar functionality in widget form.
If you agree, consider donating a few dollars. This will encourage me to continue improving PHPfr as well as developing new widgets. Thanks!
I hope you enjoy PHPfr. Let me know if you have any suggestions or find any bugs.
–Andrew
Below are answers to some (anticipated) frequently asked questions.
Just enter part of a function name to narrow the list and click on the function whose definition you wish to view. The widget will automatically expand and display the defniition page. You can also double-click on a function name to visit the online version of the documentation.
Tip: The search field accepts regular expressions as input, allowing you to home in on groups of functions not otherwise easily searchable. For example, entering the expression ^.*[0-9]$
into the search field will return all functions that end with a number.
Click on the plus sign in the upper left of any function page to add it to your favorites. View your favorites by clicking the “favorites” link below the function list.
Two great features of PHPfr are the cheat sheet and interactive date formatter. Click on “cheat sheet” below the function list to view the extensive list of commonly used syntax and variables. Click on “dates” to enter the interactive date formatter. Enter a format string to view a preview of how the date will appear when processed by the PHP date() function.
PHPfr ships with the English version of the PHP documentation, which is enabled by default. To install other languages, follow the steps below:
If you notice the function pages not displaying exactly right after you select a new language, you may have to reload the widget (cmd-r).
Full documentation is not available for Arabic and Hebrew (despite being listed in the documentation list at PHP.net).
As compatible versions of the documentation becomes available, I will update PHPfr to work with them.
In a word: speed. PHPfr uses a downloaded copy of PHP.net’s online documentation to enable faster access than is possible over a network connection. Also, by using downloaded documentation, you can access it when you are not online.
The following are the terms under which PHPfr is released.
I decided not to charge for PHPfr. But you’re right, it is great, so I am asking that if you find it useful that you head on over to PayPal and deposit $5 US (or whatever you think PHPfr is worth) in my account. To make this as painless as possible, here’s a link.
Gosh, I hope so. I know the part about redistributing the PHP documentation is kosher, because the copyright notice says so. It’s very possible that it’s more fun than the government wants you to have. I am in no way liable if you suffer any losses due to having too much fun. Actually, I am in no way liable for any losses you may suffer for any reason, related to this widget or not.
Copyright © 1997 – 2006 by the PHP Documentation Group. This material may be distributed only subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Open Publication License, v1.0 or later (the latest version is presently available at http://www.opencontent.org/openpub/).