initialize variables

[eluser]Colin Williams[/eluser]
I typically use a very generic Variable library which works like config_item with the addition of the "default if not existent" argument.

Code:

function get_variable(string $variable_key, mixed $default_value)

jedd, the values are in a 'variable' table in the database, and the "defaults" are essentially provided right there in the function call. Like the OP mentioned, the purpose is to avoid unnecessary IF/ELSE blocks everywhere.