passing a variable back to a function

[eluser]Unknown[/eluser]
Hello,

my question is, if I have a function called test1() and this function is called in my controller:

Code:

$this->test1();

but I also wish a function called test2 to pass a variable to it later in the code.

Code:

public function test2(){
   $passed='foo';
   return $passed;
}

$this->test1($passed);

My program throws an error because $passed is not needed the first time. Do I need to override test with another implementation. How would I do this.

Sorry if this is a basic question. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

PTVW