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Why can't you call abstract functions from abstract classes in PHP?

Asked 2010-05-18T17:42:21.880
56

I've set up an abstract parent class, and a concrete class which extends it. Why can the parent class not call the abstract function?

//foo.php
<?php
    abstract class AbstractFoo{
        abstract public static function foo();
        public static function getFoo(){
            return self::foo();//line 5
        }
    }

    class ConcreteFoo extends AbstractFoo{
        public static function foo(){
            return "bar";
        }
    }

    echo ConcreteFoo::getFoo();
?>

Error:

Fatal error: Cannot call abstract method AbstractFoo::foo() in foo.php on line 5

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1 Answer

1

It's a rule that abstract and static keywords can not be use on a method at the same time.

A method with an abstract keyword means that sub-class must implement it. Adding static to a method of a class allows us to use the method without instantiating it.

So that is why the error occurs.

answered 2012-02-17T16:12:38.933

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