i have a function that needs to access the static methods of different classes

function x ($class)
{
$class::spit();
}

so. eg. x('Man') will access Man::spit() or x('Girl') will access Girl::spit()

The above code gives out an error. WHat is the right way to do it?

Shouldnt you use inheritance and polymorphism?

Which error does it give? That might help a bit more.

Maybe something like this:

// base class
class person {
function spit() {
return "you forgot to override me";
}
}

class man extends person {
function spit() {
return "man spit";
}
}

class woman extends person {
function spit() {
return "girl spit";
}
}


function x($obj) {
return $obj->spit();
}

$a_dude = new man;
echo x($a_dude); // will echo "man spit"

"call_user_func()" may be what you're looking for:
http://us3.php.net/manual/en/function.call-user-func.php

The second example there seems to apply.