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Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] Renaming "strict types" to "scalar type coercion"
In-Reply-To: <CAPzBOBMidokE3xw251f+_qbCPAyQQRcN1WnyVF0xfuzaPBU3JA@mail.gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 2024 21:18:20 +0200
Cc: internals <internals@lists.php.net>
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Message-ID: <C8BB432C-DE32-4A99-B836-BE9384E3A392@gmail.com>
References: <CAPzBOBMidokE3xw251f+_qbCPAyQQRcN1WnyVF0xfuzaPBU3JA@mail.gmail.com>
To: Robert Landers <landers.robert@gmail.com>
From: claude.pache@gmail.com (Claude Pache)

Hi,

> One thing is clear is that "strict types" may be a bit of poor word
> choice and gives people a false sense of security that it is "safe" or
> "more correct" when this obviously isn't true. Thus, I'd like to
> propose, for PHP 9, simply renaming it from strict_types to
> scalar_type_coercion and flipping the value:
>=20
> <?php declare(strict_types=3D1);
>=20
> to
>=20
> <?php declare(scalar_type_coercion=3D0);

This not better. Even with `declare(scalar_type_coercion=3D0)`, there =
will be scalar type conversions between string and int/float when you =
add numeric strings or when you concatenate a string with an int.

IMO, the real problem with the current name, is that there is no clue =
that this directive is specifically about arguments and return values in =
function/method calls.

> Perhaps it might even be worth adding a secondary vote to flip the
> default, such that if you want to "old" behavior back:
>=20
> <?php declare(scalar_type_coercion=3D1);

That would force to edit thousands of files, ... for exactly zero gain. =
Have you heard about the Red Queen's race?

Moreover, there are many places where it is not possible to add such a =
declaration. For instance, `array_map(...)`, etc., always use =
`strict_types=3D0` when invoking the callback. Changing that would also =
be a big BC break.

=E2=80=94Claude=