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Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:28:08 -0600
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Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] [RFC] Pattern Matching
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From: larry@garfieldtech.com ("Larry Garfield")

On Mon, Jan 26, 2026, at 7:33 AM, Morgan wrote:
> On 2026-01-26 23:53, Bruce Weirdan wrote:
>>=20
>>=20
>> On Mon, Jan 26, 2026 at 5:48=E2=80=AFAM Morgan <weedpacket@varteg.nz=20
>> <mailto:weedpacket@varteg.nz>> wrote:
>>=20
>> >     On 2026-01-26 07:44, Larry Garfield wrote:
>> >      >
>> >      > With per-arm, you can opt-in to pattern matching individuall=
y, at
>> >     the cost of having to remember to repeat the keyword on every l=
ine.=20
>> >     With per-block, you only have to add the keyword once at the co=
st of
>> > >     not being able to selectively use patterns or identity matchi=
ng.
>> >      >
>> >      > Which tradeoff is better is the option question.=C2=A0 (Ilij=
a and I
>> >     disagree on which to go with.)=C2=A0 Or, if someone can suggest=
 a way to
>> >     allow automatic detection reliably, that would also be most wel=
come. :-)
>> >      >
>> >=20
>> >     If it had to be one or the other [...]
>>=20
>>=20
>> Does it have to be one of the other though? Can't we have both?
>>=20
>
>  > > ...so the real question is if "match($foo) is {..." should be add=
ed=20
> as a shorthand for when all matching is on patterns.

It is technically possible to implement it both ways, I believe.  Whethe=
r that is too confusing and messy is another question.

--Larry Garfield