How to compare the value of the_permalink() with another function.

Im trying to develop a little hack for an ajax type menu. What i want to do is change the class of an “a” tag according to if the value of the_permalink matches the value of another function.

Here is the function i wish to check whether the_pemalink is equal to:

<?php
function curPageURL() {
 $pageURL = 'http';
 if ($_SERVER["HTTPS"] == "on") {$pageURL .= "s";}
 $pageURL .= "://";
 if ($_SERVER["SERVER_PORT"] != "80") {
  $pageURL .= $_SERVER["SERVER_NAME"].":".$_SERVER["SERVER_PORT"].$_SERVER["REQUEST_URI"];
 } else {
  $pageURL .= $_SERVER["SERVER_NAME"].$_SERVER["REQUEST_URI"];
 }
 return $pageURL;
}
?>

So on my “a” tag class i have tried the following:
<a class="<?php if (curPageURL() == the_permalink() ) { echo "on";} else {echo "off";} ?>" href="#">Test</a>

What appears to be happening is the permalink is being echo’d so i get a class output of:
<a class="www.mysite.com/?p=7off" href="#">test</a>

Im pretty new to PHP scripting so your patience is much appreciated. What would i need to do in order to check both functions and echo the relevant output?

Thank you very much in advance.