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Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2025 09:53:25 +0500
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Subject: [PHP-DEV] [RFC] Optional Catch Block Body
To: PHP internals <internals@lists.php.net>
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From: 91liahim@gmail.com (Mihail Liahimov)

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Introduction

Currently, PHP requires a block body for catch clauses even when the caught
exception is not used. This results in unnecessary boilerplate code. This
RFC proposes allowing catch clauses without a body when the exception
variable is omitted.

Proposal

Allow the following syntax where the curly braces can be omitted when no
exception variable is specified and no handling is needed:

try {
    // code that may throw
} catch (SomeError);

This would be equivalent to:

try {
    // code that may throw
} catch (SomeError) {}

Motivation

Reduced Boilerplate: Eliminates unnecessary empty blocks when exceptions
only need to be caught and ignored.
Improved Readability: Makes the code more concise and focuses on the
important parts.

Backward Incompatible Changes

None. This is purely an additive change to the syntax.

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<div dir=3D"ltr">Introduction<br><br>Currently, PHP requires a block body f=
or catch clauses even when the caught exception is not used. This results i=
n unnecessary boilerplate code. This RFC proposes allowing catch clauses wi=
thout a body when the exception variable is omitted.<br><br>Proposal<br><br=
>Allow the following syntax where the curly braces can be omitted when no e=
xception variable is specified and no handling is needed:<br><br>try {<br>=
=C2=A0 =C2=A0 // code that may throw<br>} catch (SomeError);<br><br>This wo=
uld be equivalent to:<br><br>try {<br>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 // code that may throw<=
br>} catch (SomeError) {}<br><br>Motivation<br><br>Reduced Boilerplate: Eli=
minates unnecessary empty blocks when exceptions only need to be caught and=
 ignored.<br>Improved Readability: Makes the code more concise and focuses =
on the important parts.<br><br>Backward Incompatible Changes<br><br>None. T=
his is purely an additive change to the syntax.<br><br></div>

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