rfc:multiple-catch

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PHP RFC: Catching Multiple Exception Types

Introduction

It is sometime required to duplicate code of a catch statement because two totally different types of Exceptions are handled the same way.

<?php
 
try {
   // Some code...
} catch (ExceptionType1 $e) {
   // Code to handle the exception
} catch (ExceptionType2 $e) {
   // Same code to handle the exception
} catch (\Exception $e) {
   // ...
}

One good solution to fix this problem on user level would be for ExceptionType1 and ExceptionType2 to implement a common interface and catch it. However, this is only possible when you control the exception hierarchy in your own code, but not possible when you use external code.

Proposal

This RFC introduce the possibility to catch multiple exceptions type in a single catch statement. It will avoid code duplication when similar code is reused across multiple exception types.

<?php
 
try {
   // Some code...
} catch (ExceptionType1 | ExceptionType2 $e) {
   // Code to handle the exception
} catch (\Exception $e) {
   // ...
}

This syntax and functionality is compatible with the Union RFC proposed here : https://wiki.php.net/rfc/union_types

Backward Incompatible Changes

None.

Proposed PHP Version(s)

7.1

RFC Impact

To SAPIs

None

To Existing Extensions

None

To Opcache

None

Proposed Voting Choices

As this is a language change, a 2/3 majority is required. The vote is a straight Yes/No vote for accepting the RFC and merging the patch.

Patches and Tests

rfc/multiple-catch.1457387256.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017/09/22 13:28 (external edit)