I agree keyword arguments are a better solution (but probably harder to implement). Right now this is how I do this: function salute($user, array $options

I agree keyword arguments are a better solution (but probably harder to implement). Right now this is how I do this: function salute($user, array $options = null) { $options = (array) $options + array('shout' => false); $salutation = "Hi $user!"; if ($options['shout']) $salutation = strtoupper($salutation); return $salutation; }