rfc:negative_array_index

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PHP RFC: Arrays starting with a negative index

Introduction

Currently, any array that has a number n as it's first numeric key will have for it's next implicit key either n+1 if n >= 0 or 0 if n < 0. This RFC proposes to make this consistent by always using n+1 regardless of the sign of n.

Proposal

As mentioned on the relevant part of the arrays documentation:

if no key is specified, the maximum of the existing integer indices is taken, and the new key will be that maximum value plus 1 (but at least 0).

This RFC proposes to eliminate the parenthesis part of that sentence. Which is an exception to a rule, that people have to learn one way or the other.

All the variables in this code:

<?php
 
$a = array_fill(-2, 3, true);
$b = [-2 => true, true, true];
$c = ["string" => true, -2 => true, true, true];
unset($c["string"]);
$d[-2] = true;
$d[] = true;
$d[] = true;

Result in the array:

array(3) {
  [-2]=>
  bool(true)
  [0]=>
  bool(true)
  [1]=>
  bool(true)
}

With the implementation of this RFC, they will all result in:

array(3) {
  [-2]=>
  bool(true)
  [-1]=>
  bool(true)
  [0]=>
  bool(true)
}

Backward Incompatible Changes

Code that relies on the current behavior to access array elements with an explicit key after that array has been started with a negative index and used implicit keys afterwards will change it's behavior. Example:

<?php
 
$a[-2] = true;
$a[] = true;
$a[] = true;
 
if ($a[1] === true) {
    echo 'Save the world.';
}

Will no longer save the world.

Proposed PHP Version(s)

PHP 7.2

Unaffected PHP Functionality

Arrays with explicit keys, string keys, or an initial numeric index >= 0 are not affected. This also means that arrays that never use explicit keys will still start with 0.

Furthermore, iterating over arrays without explicit keys (ie. foreach) is also not affected.

Proposed Voting Choices

This RFC requires a 2/3 majority.

Patches and Tests

This RFC is implemented by the following patches:

  1. Documentation: WIP

References

Discussion on the mailing list:https://externals.io/thread/712

rfc/negative_array_index.1492733635.txt.gz · Last modified: 2017/09/22 13:28 (external edit)