$GLOBALS vs define() vs const; It depends. I would go for `define()` because it has a more compact syntax in usage. But `define()` can only hold scalar values in PHP < 7.0 In case you need i.e. an associative array you have no other choice then to go for ` $GLOBALS` or use PHP >=7.0. From http://stackoverflow.com/questions/10691404/php-best-way-…

globals_vs_constants_vs_define.php

    // Storing a single value works fine with define
    define( 'ROOT_DIR', dirname(dirname(__FILE__)) . '/' );

    // But not for complex data types like this array
    $USERPIC_PARAMS = array(
                "user_root"	      => "images/users",
                "padding_length"	=> 8,
                "split_length"		=> 4,
                "hash_length"		  => 12,
                "hide_leftover"		=> false
        );
        
    // Then you need $GLOBALS
    $GLOBALS['USERPIC_PARAMS']  = $USERPIC_PARAMS;
    // Or in PHP >=7.0
    define( 'USERPIC_PARAMS', $USERPIC_PARAMS );

    // output your define
    echo ROOT_DIR;
    // output your $GLOBALS var
    echo $GLOBALS['USERPIC_PARAMS'];
    // output in PHP >=7.0 your constant
    echo USERPIC_PARAMS;