<p>I want to define something like this in <em>php</em>:</p>

<pre><code>$EL = "\n&lt;br /&gt;\n";
</code></pre>

<p>and then use that variable as an "endline" marker all over my site, like this:</p>

<pre><code>echo "Blah blah blah{$EL}";
</code></pre>

<p>How do I define $EL once (in only 1 file), include it on every page on my site, and <em>not</em> have to reference it using the (strangely backwards) <code>global $EL;</code> statement in every page function?</p>

Most PHP sites should have a file (I call it a header) that you include on every single page of the site. If you put that first line of code in the header file, then include it like this on every page:
```
```
include 'header.php';
```
```
you won't have to use the global keyword or anything, the second line of code you wrote should work.
Edit: Oh sorry, that won't work inside functions... now I see your problem.
Edit #2: Ok, take my original advice with the header, but use a
define()
rather than a variable. Those work inside functions after being included.