--TEST-- Virtual get hook allows returning by reference --FILE-- $this->_prop; set { $this->_prop = $value; } } } function inc(&$ref) { $ref++; } $test = new Test(); $test->prop = 42; $prop = &$test->prop; $prop++; var_dump($test); var_dump($test->prop); unset($prop); inc($test->prop); var_dump($test); var_dump($test->prop); ?> --EXPECT-- object(Test)#1 (1) { ["_prop":"Test":private]=> &int(43) } int(43) object(Test)#1 (1) { ["_prop":"Test":private]=> int(44) } int(44)