PHP: rfc:grapheme_mask

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====== PHP RFC: Grapheme Mask ======
* Version: 1.0
* Date: 2026-06-25
* Author: Sepehr, sepehrphpr@gmail.com
* Status: Draft
* First Published at: http://wiki.php.net/rfc/grapheme_mask
* Implementation: TBD
* Discussion thread: https://news-web.php.net/php.internals/

===== Introduction =====
This RFC proposes a new function ''grapheme_mask()'' to the Intl extension. This function allows masking a string with a specific character while being "Unicode-aware" by respecting grapheme cluster boundaries.

===== Proposal =====
Add the following function:
<code php>
function grapheme_mask(string $string, string $mask_char = "*", int $start = 0, ?int $length = null): string|false {}
</code>

The function will correctly identify individual graphemes (like emojis or combined characters) and replace them with the $mask_char, ensuring the visual integrity of the string is maintained.

===== Examples =====
<code php>
// Traditional str_repeat/masking might break emojis
echo grapheme_mask("سلام 👋", "#"); 
// Output: ##### (Correctly identifies 5 graphemes)
</code>

===== Proposed PHP Version(s) =====
PHP 8.4 or 8.5 (Next minor version).

===== Proposed Changes =====
The implementation will be part of the ''ext/intl'' extension, utilizing the ICU library's break iterator.

===== Vote =====
TBD

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