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Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2025 18:18:47 -0300
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Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] Split as an alias to explode
To: =?UTF-8?Q?Tim_D=C3=BCsterhus?= <tim@bastelstu.be>
Cc: PHP internals <internals@lists.php.net>
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From: carlosv775@gmail.com (Vinicius Dias)

> We already have a function named `str_split()` which does something else. Adding a function named `split()` could cause confusion.

I totally understand your point, but I also think that it's way more
common for people to assume `str_split` does what `explode` does and
get surprised when they see it's not the case.
I had this happening during a few conversations in PHP User Groups meetups.

I agree that having `split` and `str_split` with such different
behaviors isn't great, but I also think the benefit for newcomers to
the language to see `split` just like we have in several other
languages outweighs the possible confusion.

---

> I don't see value in having multiple names for the same thing, that will just cause confusion for folks that are used to the other name.

This is also a very valid point and I understand this line of thought.
My thought, though, is: people coming from different languages are
used to seeing `split(str)` or `str.split()`, so this would make PHP a
bit more familiar for them. Small changes like that can make a
language more "liked" for people learning them, IMO.

> As implied above and also indicated by the changed labels on the PR: RFC please.

No problem. I'll send a new e-mail to the list asking for karma (or
can this message in this thread serve as the request already)?

Thank you.