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Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2025 21:33:30 +0100
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Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] Split as an alias to explode
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From: imsop.php@rwec.co.uk ("Rowan Tommins [IMSoP]")

On 16 August 2025 10:16:40 BST, "Christoph M=2E Becker" <cmbecker69@gmx=2Ed=
e> wrote:

>Because it would still be rather confusing to JavaScript developers who
>are used to
>
>  str=2Esplit(separator)
>
>and now would have to deal with
>
>  split(separator, str)


The fact that PHP doesn't have methods on strings, numbers, and lists, is =
something you learn once and applies to dozens of different functions=2E It=
's like saying "it would be rather confusing that you have to write split($=
foo, $bar) instead of split(foo, bar)"=2E

And why focus on JavaScript anyway? Have a look at this comparison of how =
to "tokenize" a string in dozens of different languages: <https://rosettaco=
de=2Eorg/wiki/Tokenize_a_string>

If they have a built-in implementation, it is nearly always called "split"=
, regardless of whether it's a method, a free function, an operator, or wha=
tever else=2E Apart from PHP, the only built-ins called "explode" appear in=
 Modula-3, and an obscure teaching language called Basic256=2E


Let's face it, "exploding a string" is a slightly odd metaphor=2E I wouldn=
't be surprised if it causes extra confusion in people who don't speak Engl=
ish as a first language, as well=2E

I can only assume the original split() function came first, taking a regex=
 because of the influence of Perl; and explode() was chosen when hunting ar=
ound for a distinct name later=2E


I do accept the argument that aliases can lead to confusion when reading c=
ode that mixes them, though=2E I've seen people completely convinced that s=
izeof() means something different from count()


Rowan Tommins
[IMSoP]