rfc:readonly_properties_v2

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rfc:readonly_properties_v2 [2021/06/04 14:26] – nikicrfc:readonly_properties_v2 [2021/07/20 15:37] (current) – nikic
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   * Date: 2021-06-02   * Date: 2021-06-02
   * Author: Nikita Popov <nikic@php.net>   * Author: Nikita Popov <nikic@php.net>
-  * Status: Draft+  * Status: Implemented
   * Target Version: PHP 8.1   * Target Version: PHP 8.1
   * Implementation: https://github.com/php/php-src/pull/7089   * Implementation: https://github.com/php/php-src/pull/7089
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 <PHP> <PHP>
 class Test { class Test {
-    public readonly int $prop = 0;+    public function __construct( 
 +        public readonly int $i = 0, 
 +        public readonly array $ary = [], 
 +    ) {}
 } }
  
 $test = new Test; $test = new Test;
-$test->prop += 1; +$test->i += 1; 
-$test->prop++; +$test->i++; 
-++$test->prop; +++$test->i; 
-$ref =& $test->prop; +$test->ary[] = 1; 
-$test->prop =& $ref; +$test->ary[0][] = 1; 
-byRef($test->prop);+$ref =& $test->i; 
 +$test->i =& $ref; 
 +byRef($test->i);
 foreach ($test as &$prop); foreach ($test as &$prop);
 </PHP> </PHP>
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 </PHP> </PHP>
  
-As the property has no default value, the assignment in the constructor is initializing, and thus legal. The constructor property promotion feature was specifically design for forward-compatiblity with readonly properties.+As the property has no default value, the assignment in the constructor is initializing, and thus legal. The constructor property promotion feature was specifically designed for forward-compatibility with readonly properties.
  
-Readonly static properties are not supported. This is a technical limitation, in that it is not possible to implement readonly static properties non-intrusively. In conjuction with the questionable usefulness of readonly static properties, this is not considered worthwhile at this time.+Readonly static properties are not supported. This is a technical limitation, in that it is not possible to implement readonly static properties non-intrusively. In conjunction with the questionable usefulness of readonly static properties, this is not considered worthwhile at this time.
  
 ==== Inheritance ==== ==== Inheritance ====
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 </PHP> </PHP>
  
-However, it is possible to unset a readonly property prior to initialization, from the scope where the property has been declared. Just like with normal typed properties, explicitly unsetting the property makes it visibile to magic methods. In particular, this enables the usual lazy initialization pattern to work:+However, it is possible to unset a readonly property prior to initialization, from the scope where the property has been declared. Just like with normal typed properties, explicitly unsetting the property makes it visible to magic methods. In particular, this enables the usual lazy initialization pattern to work:
  
 <PHP> <PHP>
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 ''ReflectionProperty::setValue()'' can bypass the requirement that initialization occurs from the scope where the property has been declared. However, reflection cannot modify a readonly property that has already been initialized. ''ReflectionProperty::setValue()'' can bypass the requirement that initialization occurs from the scope where the property has been declared. However, reflection cannot modify a readonly property that has already been initialized.
 +
 +Similarly, closure rebinding can be used to bypass the initialization scope requirement.
 +
 +==== Serialization ====
 +
 +Readonly properties have no impact on serialization. As ''%%__unserialize()%%'' (and the legacy ''Serializable::unserialize()'') method are invoked without a prior constructor call, readonly properties will be in an uninitialized state and can be set by the ''%%__unserialize()%%'' implementation.
 +
 +This also applies to userland serializers and hydrators. As long as the object is created using ''ReflectionClass::newInstanceWithoutConstructor()'' or some other constructor-bypass, it is always safe to initialize readonly properties.
  
 ===== Rationale ===== ===== Rationale =====
  
-The readonly property concept introduced in this proposal provides strong immutability guarantees, which apply both inside and outside the class. Once a property has been initialized, it cannot be changed under any circumstances.+The readonly property concept introduced in this proposal provides strong immutability guarantees, which apply both inside and outside the class. Once a property has been initialized, it cannot be changed under any circumstances. Reading a readonly property will always return the same value, no matter what code runs in between: 
 + 
 +<PHP> 
 +class Test { 
 +    public readonly string $prop; 
 +     
 +    public function method(Closure $fn) { 
 +        $prop = $this->prop; 
 +        $fn(); // Any code may run here. 
 +        $prop2 = $this->prop; 
 +        assert($prop === $prop2); // Always holds. 
 +    } 
 +} 
 +</PHP>
  
 These guarantees are //too// strong for certain use-cases. For example, some classes may wish to have properties that are publicly readable, but can only be written from within the class. This is a much weaker guarantee, as the value of a property can change during the lifetime of an object. //Both// variants can be useful depending on the situation, and the addition of readonly properties neither precludes nor discourages the addition of asymmetric property visibility. These guarantees are //too// strong for certain use-cases. For example, some classes may wish to have properties that are publicly readable, but can only be written from within the class. This is a much weaker guarantee, as the value of a property can change during the lifetime of an object. //Both// variants can be useful depending on the situation, and the addition of readonly properties neither precludes nor discourages the addition of asymmetric property visibility.
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 This also ensures that a potential future "clone with" implementation will only be able to modify readonly properties from private scope and thus cannot bypass additional invariants imposed by the implementation when used from a different scope. This also ensures that a potential future "clone with" implementation will only be able to modify readonly properties from private scope and thus cannot bypass additional invariants imposed by the implementation when used from a different scope.
  
-This RFC overlaps with the [[rfc:property_accessors|Property Accessors RFC]]. In particular, it implements the "only implicit get" aspect, though not with the exact same semantics. As mentioned in the RFC, I'm not convinced that the full complexity of accessors is truly warranted. Supporting readonly properties and asymmetric visibility would cover a signficant portion of the use-cases, at a lower language complexity cost.+This RFC overlaps with the [[rfc:property_accessors|Property Accessors RFC]]. In particular, it implements the "only implicit get" aspect, though not with the exact same semantics. As mentioned in the RFC, I'm not convinced that the full complexity of accessors is truly warranted. Supporting readonly properties and asymmetric visibility would cover a significant portion of the use-cases, at a lower language complexity cost.
  
 It is worth noting that having a readonly property feature does not preclude introduction of accessors. C# supports both readonly properties and accessors. C# also provides properties with implicit backing storage through accessor syntax, but this is not the only way to do it. For example, Swift has special syntax for asymmetric visibility, rather than specifying visibility on implicitly implemented accessors. It is worth noting that having a readonly property feature does not preclude introduction of accessors. C# supports both readonly properties and accessors. C# also provides properties with implicit backing storage through accessor syntax, but this is not the only way to do it. For example, Swift has special syntax for asymmetric visibility, rather than specifying visibility on implicitly implemented accessors.
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 ===== Vote ===== ===== Vote =====
  
-Yes/No.+Voting started on 2021-07-01 and closes on 2021-07-15. 
 + 
 +<doodle title="Add readonly properties as proposed?" auth="nikic" voteType="single" closed="true"> 
 +   * Yes 
 +   * No 
 +</doodle>
  
rfc/readonly_properties_v2.txt · Last modified: 2021/07/20 15:37 by nikic

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