Creating Classes - Setting A Variable To A Value

[geno11x11]

I'm trying to understand OOP and class construction. I have found many examples of building classes, but I am not clear on the purpose of one step:

 

Here's some code:

 

<?php

class person

{

var $name;

function set_name($new_name)

{

$this->name = $new_name;

}

 

function get_name() {

return $this->name;

}

}

?>

 

My question involves the statement: $this->name = $new_name.

 

I understand the usage of $this and that the variable name is being set to the value of $new_name. Since $new_name has no value, it appears the statement may be used to create an element of the class. So, in the process of building a class, what does this statement do, and why is it required?

Edited February 5, 2013 by Geno

[falkencreative]

In and of itself, that doesn't do anything. However, if you were to create an object:

 

$person = new person();

$person->set_name('Bob');

echo $person->get_name();

 

you can use that method to set the name. $new_name has a value of whatever is passed into the set_name method when it is called (for example, "Bob").