How do I get the function name inside a function in PHP?

Question

Is it possible?

function test() { echo "function name is test"; }

Just out of curiosity, when is there a need for this? Is it possible to create functions that you don't know the name of? — DisgruntledGoat
– DisgruntledGoat, Commented Jun 17, 2009 at 11:33
One possible use would be logging your execution. If you're writing "I had an error in " . FUNCTION to a logfile or something. This way, if the function name is changed you don't have to worry about the person remembering to change the log message. — Brian Ramsay
– Brian Ramsay, Commented Jun 17, 2009 at 11:48
Also useful if you want to use the function name inside the function (for another use). Like to construct links based on the function, etc. (eg: function name1() then use name1 again inside), would save lots of time if you have the same template for lots of functions. — Mafia
– Mafia, Commented Feb 26, 2013 at 20:37
@DisgruntledGoat: it is useful if you create functions manually and do not want to edit error message for every function. Adding it into error message means you have less work. — John Boe
– John Boe, Commented Mar 31, 2016 at 11:56

totymedli · Accepted Answer · 2018-04-11 16:17:36Z

456

The accurate way is to use the __FUNCTION__ predefined magic constant.

Example:

class Test { function MethodA(){ echo __FUNCTION__; } }

Result: MethodA.

edited Apr 11, 2018 at 16:17

totymedli

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answered Jun 17, 2009 at 10:33

Silfverstrom

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1 Comment

mvsagar Over a year ago

FUNCTION works for non-class functions as well. Tried on PHP 7.0.8.

Aurelijus Rozenas · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-16 06:52:04Z

107

You can use the magic constants __METHOD__ (includes the class name) or __FUNCTION__ (just function name) depending on if it's a method or a function... =)

edited May 16, 2016 at 6:52

Aurelijus Rozenas

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answered Jun 17, 2009 at 10:33

PatrikAkerstrand

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4 Comments

Alister Bulman Over a year ago

METHOD includes the class name, FUNCTION is just that. The latter is equally available in the method of a class.

PatrikAkerstrand Over a year ago

That's true. But it's often useful to get MyClass::methodName instead of methodName.

Jonny Over a year ago

METHOD does not necessarily return the class name; if the place of calling this is inside a trait, you'll get the trait name. If you want to get the classname of the instance used, use get_class($this).

PatrikAkerstrand Over a year ago

@Jonny: Traits were introduced in PHP 5.4, in 2012. So they weren't a thing when this answer was written in 2009. Please feel free to suggest an edit to update the answer for how PHP works nowadays.

Peter Mortensen · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-08 13:59:28Z

20

If you are using PHP 5 you can try this:

function a() { $trace = debug_backtrace(); echo $trace[0]["function"]; }

edited Jan 8, 2018 at 13:59

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jun 17, 2009 at 10:41

Kevin Newman

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4 Comments

Luke Cousins Over a year ago

This is incredible resource intensive. Using FUNCTION or METHOD is much more efficient. debug_backtrace() is great if you need more than just the function name though.

Marcio Mazzucato Over a year ago

It's a bad practice to use debug_backtrace() for this purpose

T.Todua Over a year ago

THIS IS THE ONLY CORRECT WAY i have found !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! because __FUNCTION__ returns parent function name (when the current function is included in parent function)

alds Over a year ago

@tazo todua. can you give an example?

vishva8kumara · Accepted Answer · 2024-11-08 14:31:19Z

2

<?php class Test { function MethodA(){ return __FUNCTION__ ; } } $test = new Test; echo $test->MethodA(); ?>

Result: "MethodA";

edited Nov 8, 2024 at 14:31

vishva8kumara

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answered Apr 2, 2018 at 9:06

Snehal K

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2 Comments

SilverNak Over a year ago

While this code snippet may be the solution, including an explanation really helps to improve the quality of your post. Remember that you are answering the question for readers in the future, and those people might not know the reasons for your code suggestion.

vishva8kumara Over a year ago

You have to return the value instead echo, from the function to echo the result.

hanshenrik · Accepted Answer · 2025-03-18 13:47:13Z

<?php function fun(){ var_dump([ "__FUNCTION__" => __FUNCTION__, "__METHOD__" => __METHOD__, ]); } class C{ function meth(){ var_dump([ "__FUNCTION__" => __FUNCTION__, "__METHOD__" => __METHOD__, ]); } static function static_meth(){ var_dump([ "__FUNCTION__" => __FUNCTION__, "__METHOD__" => __METHOD__, ]); } } fun(); $o = new C(); $o->meth(); $o->static_meth(); ?>

outputs

array(2) { ["__FUNCTION__"]=> string(3) "fun" ["__METHOD__"]=> string(3) "fun" } array(2) { ["__FUNCTION__"]=> string(4) "meth" ["__METHOD__"]=> string(7) "C::meth" } array(2) { ["__FUNCTION__"]=> string(11) "static_meth" ["__METHOD__"]=> string(14) "C::static_meth" }

Fwiw if you want to call yourself without knowing/caring about your function name, you'd do

(__METHOD__)();

or perhaps

(__METHOD__)(...func_get_args());

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