====== PHP RFC: Short Array Variable Shorthand ======

  * Version: 1.0
  * Date: 2026-09-30
  * Author: Weilin Du, weilindu@php.net
  * Status: Under Discussion
  * Implementation: TBD
  * Discussion thread: TBD
  * Voting thread: TBD

===== Introduction =====

Associative arrays often repeat a key and a variable with the same name. This RFC proposes '':$name'' as shorthand for ''"name" => $name'' inside short ''[]'' syntax:

<PHP>
<?php
$x = 10;
$y = 20;

$point = [:$x, :$y]; // $point = ['x' => $x, 'y' => $y]
[:$x, :$y] = $point; // ['x' => $x, 'y' => $y] = $point
?>
</PHP>

===== Proposal =====

Within ''[]'', '':$name'' uses the variable's lexical name as a string key. In an array expression it reads ''$name''; in destructuring it assigns the value at key ''"name"'' to ''$name''. Both forms behave exactly like the explicit keyed element, including existing rules for duplicate or missing keys.

The shorthand also works in nested ''[]'' and in ''[]'' destructuring used by ''foreach''. It accepts only a simple variable. Other values still use an explicit key, for example ''["name" => $object->name]''.

Important: This RFC supports only ''[]''. The forms ''array(:$name)'' and ''list(:$name)'' remain invalid. It does not change function calls.

==== Examples ====

An array can mix the shorthand with explicit keys:

<PHP>
<?php
$name = 'Weilin';
$age = 18;
$user = ['id' => 1, :$name, :$age];
// ['id' => 1, 'name' => 'Weilin', 'age' => 18]
?>
</PHP>

The shorthand can also be mixed with explicit keys when destructuring:

<PHP>
<?php
$user = ['name' => 'Weilin', 'age' => 18];
[:$name, 'age' => $years] = $user;
// $name === 'Weilin'; $years === 18
?>
</PHP>

Here is an example in a foreach loop:

<PHP>
<?php
$rows = [['name' => 'Weilin']];
foreach ($rows as [:$name]) {
    echo $name; // Weilin
}
?>
</PHP>

Nested short-array destructuring works in the same way:

<PHP>
<?php
$record = ['user' => ['name' => 'Weilin']];
['user' => [:$name]] = $record;
echo $name; // Weilin
?>
</PHP>

===== Backward Incompatible Changes =====

None. The proposed syntax is currently invalid.

===== Proposed PHP Version(s) =====

PHP 8.7.

===== RFC Impact =====

==== To the Ecosystem ====

Static analyzers must recognize the new ''[]'' element form.

==== To Existing Extensions ====

None.

==== To SAPIs ====

None.

===== Open Issues =====

None.

===== Future Scope =====

The long ''array()'' and ''list()'' forms, and shorthand in function calls, are outside this RFC.

===== Voting Choices =====

TBD. Not in the voting process.

===== Patches and Tests =====

TBD.

===== Implementation =====

TBD.

===== References =====

  * [[https://wiki.php.net/rfc/named_params#shorthand_syntax_for_matching_parameter_and_variable_name|Named Arguments RFC: Future Scope]]
  * [[https://www.php.net/manual/en/language.types.array.php#language.types.array.destructuring|PHP manual: array destructuring]]

===== Rejected Features =====

None.

===== Changelog =====

  * 2026-09-30: Initial draft.
  * 2026-09-30: Added examples and changed status to Under Discussion.