Here is a basic example about clone issue. If we use clone in getClassB method. Return value will be same as new B() result. But it we dont use clone we can effect B::$varA.
class A
{
protected $classB;
public function __construct(){
$this->classB = new B();
}
public function getClassB()
{
return clone $this->classB;
}
}
class B
{
protected $varA = 2;
public function getVarA()
{
return $this->varA;
}
public function setVarA()
{
$this->varA = 3;
}
}
$a = new A();
$classB = $a->getClassB();
$classB->setVarA();
echo $a->getClassB()->getVarA() . PHP_EOL;// with clone -> 2, without clone it returns -> 3
echo $classB->getVarA() . PHP_EOL; // returns always 3
