HOW THE QUIZ WORKS:
Clicking the ‘randomize’ button situated above the reference table generates a new table whereby the function descriptions, function syntaxes, and function return values are randomized. The quiz involves matching the function descriptions, function syntaxes, and function return values to the correct function name. Information relating to the randomization of table cells will be displayed for three seconds, before disappearing.
On a desktop computer, table elements are selected by left-clicking the desired table cell and holding the left click in the mouse down position for one second before releasing the left click. The text inside the table cell will turn red to indicate that the one-second mouse left-click has successfully selected a table cell. To then swap the selected table cell with the target table cell, simply repeat the one-second left mouse-click process on the target cell; the table cells will swap position. To de-select a table cell, simply repeat the one-second left mouse-click process on the original table cell.
To select a table element on a touchscreen device (mobile, tablet), simply touch the desired table cell and maintain the touch for one second before removing your finger from the screen. The text inside the table cell will turn red to indicate that the one-second touch has successfully selected a table cell. To then swap the selected table cell with the target table cell, simply repeat the one-second touch process on the target cell; the table cells will swap position. To de-select a table cell, simply repeat the one-second touch process on the original table cell.
Normal touchscreen scrolling behaviour is exhibited by the cells with a light green background; cells without a light green background will not respond to normal touchscreen scrolling. The table is positioned in such a way that the user can also initiate touchscreen scrolling by swiping to the right or left of the table.
When a row consists of the correct function name, function description, function syntax, and function return value, the background colour of the row will change from ‘transparent’ to ‘khaki’; this provides visual feedback that the row is complete.
Once the entire table is complete, a paragraph of feedback will congratulate the user and provide the following information: date and time of quiz commencement; date and time of quiz completion; and the length of time it took the user to complete the quiz.
VIEWPORT OPTIONS:
PURPOSE:
This webpage serves two purposes:
- It provides a reference table for the PHP date/time functions, with information extracted and condensed from w3schools.com and php.net.
- It enables users to complete a quiz related to the PHP date/time functions.
USAGE:
For each date/time function there are four table cells of information: the function name; the function description; the function syntax; and the function return value. There are three layouts available – ‘mobile‘, ‘tablet‘, and ‘desktop‘.
Click the relevant button below to display the PHP date/time functions reference table, sized appropriately for the desired viewport. A ‘RANDOMIZE‘ button appears above the reference table once the viewport is selected; clicking this button facilitates the commencement of a quiz.
Click the ‘RANDOMIZE‘ button to randomize the functional descriptions, the functional syntaxes, and the functional return information.
| FUNCTION NAME | FUNCTION DESCRIPTION | FUNCTION SYNTAX | FUNCTION RETURN VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|
DateTimeZone::getLocation()timezone_location_get()[Returns location information for a timezone] |
Returns location information for a timezone: country code; latitude; longitude; and comments. | Object-oriented:DateTimeZone::getLocation();Procedural style: timezone_location_get(dtz_object); |
Returns an array containing location information about timezone on success; FALSE on failure. |
timezone_name_from_abbr()
[Returns the timezone name from abbreviation] |
This function returns the timezone name from the given abbr. | timezone_name_from_abbr(abbr, gmtOffset [optional parameter], is_dst [optional parameter]);
[gmtOffset represents the offset from GMT in seconds. The default value of -1 means that the first found time zone corresponding to abbr is returned. Otherwise, the exact offset is searched and only if not found then the first timezone with any offset will be returned. |
timezone_name_from_abbr(): returns timezone name on success, or FALSE on failure. |
DateTimeZone::getName()timezone_name_get[Returns the name of the timezone] |
This function returns the name of the timezone. | Object-oriented style:DateTimeZone::getName();Procedural style: timezone_name_get(dtz_object); |
DateTimeZone::getName(): returns one of the timezone names in the supported list of timezones. |
DateTimeZone::getOffset()timezone_offset_get()[Returns the timezone offset from GMT] |
Returns the offset to GMT for the date/time specified in the datetime parameter. The offset is calculated based on the information contained in the DateTimeZone object. | Object-oriented:DateTimeZone::getOffset(datetime);Procedural style: timezone_offset_get(dtz_object, datetime); |
Returns the timezone offset from GMT in seconds on success; FALSE on failure. |
DateTimeZone::__construct()timezone_open()[Creates new DateTimeZone object] |
This function creates a new DateTimeZone object. An Exception is thrown if timezone_string is not recognised as a valid timezone. | Object-oriented style:DateTimeZone::__construct(timezone_string);Procedural style: timezone_open(timezone_string);
[timezone_string represents one of the supported timezone names or an offset value (+0200).] |
Returns a DateTimeZone object on success. Procedural style returns FALSE on failure. |
DateTimeZone::getTransitions()timezone_transitions_get()[Returns all transitions for the timezone] |
Returns a numerically-indexed array containing associative array with all transitions. The associative array elements are: ts; time; offset; isdst; and abbr. | Object-oriented:DateTimeZone::getTransitions(timestamp_begin [optional parameter], timestamp_end [optional parameter]);Procedural style: timezone_transitions_get(dtz_object, timestamp_begin [optional parameter], timestamp_end [optional parameter]); |
Returns a numerically-indexed array containing associative array with all transitions on success; FALSE on failure. |
timezone_version_get()
[Gets the version of the timezonedb] |
This function returns a string representation of the current version of the timezonedb. | timezone_version_get(); |
Returns a string representation of the current version of the timezonedb. |

