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Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] [RFC] Transform exit() from a language construct into a
 standard function
In-Reply-To: <GUMp_LJKefk4aLz9P9MA-zonKuik6uUNWZTtOAx-IeIhjPFsgfT3HHECPpyGF_ujq-LxI6tzBxMYgL5CMVGRkyzxSugweKix_YUGo2rXnb4=@gpb.moe>
Date: Mon, 27 May 2024 20:10:17 +0200
Cc: PHP internals <internals@lists.php.net>
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Message-ID: <43619F54-863D-4D6F-B507-B6256058F4B0@gmail.com>
References: <GUMp_LJKefk4aLz9P9MA-zonKuik6uUNWZTtOAx-IeIhjPFsgfT3HHECPpyGF_ujq-LxI6tzBxMYgL5CMVGRkyzxSugweKix_YUGo2rXnb4=@gpb.moe>
To: "Gina P. Banyard" <internals@gpb.moe>
From: claude.pache@gmail.com (Claude Pache)



> Le 8 mai 2024 =C3=A0 15:40, Gina P. Banyard <internals@gpb.moe> a =
=C3=A9crit :
>=20
> Hello Internals,
>=20
> I would like to formally propose my idea for exit() as a function =
brought up to the list on 2024-02-24 [1] with the following RFC:
> https://wiki.php.net/rfc/exit-as-function
>=20
> There have been some slight tweaks to the implementation, namely that =
the transformation from a "constant" to a function is done at compile =
time and we do not hook into the behaviour of constants any longer.
>=20
> Let me know what you think.
>=20
> Best regards,
>=20
> Gina P. Banyard
>=20
> [1] https://externals.io/message/122483


Hi Gina,

It is ok, for `exit` to be wired to a function. However, the paren-less =
`exit` syntax is absolutely reasonable and should be kept in the long =
term (more on this below). It is true that your proposal doesn=E2=80=99t =
remove the paren-less form, but the implementation (a hack around =
constant evaluation) strongly suggests that it is desirable to deprecate =
it in the future (hey, it is even the very first item of the `Future =
scope` section). Therefore, I think it is preferable to keep proper =
parsing rules for `exit`.

Now here is why I think that `exit` syntax without parentheses is =
reasonable. For me, `exit` is a control-flow instruction, saying to =
terminate the program, just like `return` terminates a function or =
`break` terminates a loop. I don=E2=80=99t care about implementation =
details, whether it is implemented as invoking a never-returning =
function, or as throwing a hidden exception, or whatever. The fact is, =
in typical use:

```php
header("Location: /somewhere/else.php");
exit;
```

I would consider an oddity and useless noise to put empty parentheses =
after a bare `exit`, just as I wouldn=E2=80=99t consider to put empty =
parentheses after a bare `return`.

(BTW... I wouldn=E2=80=99t describe a bare `yield` (equivalent to `yield =
null`) as =E2=80=9Cconstant=E2=80=9D evaluation, even if it may be found =
in same positions as a =E2=80=9Creal=E2=80=9D constant.)

=E2=80=94Claude=