rfc:variable_syntax_tweaks

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rfc:variable_syntax_tweaks [2020/01/07 15:58] – Fix email link girgiasrfc:variable_syntax_tweaks [2020/02/17 10:52] (current) nikic
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   * Date: 2020-01-07   * Date: 2020-01-07
   * Author: Nikita Popov <nikic@php.net>   * Author: Nikita Popov <nikic@php.net>
-  * Target Version: 8.0 +  * Target Version: PHP 8.0 
-  * Status: Under Discussion+  * Status: Implemented
   * Implementation: https://github.com/php/php-src/pull/5061   * Implementation: https://github.com/php/php-src/pull/5061
  
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 ==== Arbitrary expression support for new and instanceof ==== ==== Arbitrary expression support for new and instanceof ====
  
-Most syntactic constructions that normally require an identifier also accept a syntax variation that accepts an arbitrary expression. For the most part, this uses curly braces, such as in ''${expr}'', ''%%$foo->{expr}%%'', ''FOO::{expr}()'', etcOn the left-hand-side of an expression, parentheses are used instead, such as in ''(expr)::foo()''.+Most syntactic constructions that normally require an identifier/name also accept a syntax variation that allows an arbitrary expression. Depending on the case, this uses either ''{expr}'' or ''(expr)'' syntax. Places that accept a simple (non-namespaced) identifier use curly braces, such as ''${expr}'', ''%%$foo->{expr}%%'', and ''FOO::{expr}()''Places that accept a namespaced name use parentheses, such as ''(expr)()'' and ''(expr)::FOO''. These cases also accept more than just strings, in particular ''(expr)()'' additionally also allows other callables, and ''(expr)::FOO'' also allows objects.
  
-One place where arbitrary expressions are currently not supported are class names in ''new'' and ''instanceof'' (which are currently treated as syntactically same).+One place where arbitrary expressions are currently not supported are class names in ''new'' and ''instanceof'' (which are currently treated as syntactically the same).
  
-This RFC proposes to introduce the syntax ''new {expr}'' and ''$x instanceof {expr}'' respectively.+In line with the considerations above, this RFC proposes to introduce the syntax ''new (expr)'' and ''$x instanceof (expr)'' respectively.
  
-=== Instanceof alternatives ===+===== Backward Incompatible Changes =====
  
-While for ''new'' there is just one possible syntax choice that is consistent with the overall syntax design, there are two additional possibilities for ''instanceof'': One is to instead use ''$x instanceof (expr)''which may make more sense, as ''instanceof'' essentially looks like a normal binary operator.+There are not backwards incompatible changesthis RFC allows strictly more syntax than before.
  
-The second possibility is to relax the restrictions around the right-hand-side of ''instanceof'' entirely. This would involve treating it as a normal expression, and then reinterpreting plain constant accesses as class name references instead. I think that in principle this is a good option, but am concerned that it will cause issues in the future if we introduce generic type support, in which case a class name will no longer necessarily coincide with an ordinary expression.+===== Future Scope =====
  
-===== Backward Incompatible Changes ===== +It is in principle possible to relax the limitations on the right-hand-side of ''instanceof'' entirely: It could be treated as a normal expressionwith plain constant accesses being reinterpreted as class name references instead (as this is the only ambiguity between them). While I think that this is the best option in principle, I am concerned that it will cause issues in the future if we introduce generic types, in which case a class name will no longer necessarily coincide with an ordinary expression.
- +
-There are not backwards incompatible changes, this RFC allows strictly more syntax than before.+
  
 ===== Vote ===== ===== Vote =====
  
-Unless there are concerns regarding specific parts of the RFC, a monolithic vote will be used.+Voting started 2020-01-28 and ends 2020-02-11.
  
 +<doodle title="Implement syntax changes outlined above in PHP 8?" auth="nikic" voteType="single" closed="true">
 +   * Yes
 +   * No
 +</doodle>
rfc/variable_syntax_tweaks.txt · Last modified: 2020/02/17 10:52 by nikic