Newsgroups: php.internals
Path: news.php.net
Xref: news.php.net php.internals:131070
Feedback-ID: id5114917:Fastmail
Date: Sun, 31 May 2026 09:38:56 +0100
To: internals@lists.php.net
Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] [Pre-RFC] Pure-code source files via .phpc extension
User-Agent: K-9 Mail for Android
In-Reply-To: <CAEUnE0f7iPyLaLtE1jyL2yor4kA6U21oiDKX9+XQOJGwz6jgwQ@mail.gmail.com>
References: <DD0DF2CC-1F18-A844-B7B8-B00FA2679A47@hxcore.ol> <9E95EA03-B86A-D248-A980-B1E838F94C13@hxcore.ol> <CAEUnE0c3rmxzp1jPRhJK678J+hsHOXuL79cHpkx7fX50e_Ak5A@mail.gmail.com> <11B6D9B0-2555-4FC4-B540-71680315589F@gmail.com> <CAEUnE0f7iPyLaLtE1jyL2yor4kA6U21oiDKX9+XQOJGwz6jgwQ@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <61D94EF8-9D98-4467-878F-0427CA6DD55F@rwec.co.uk>
Precedence: list
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;
 charset=utf-8
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
From: imsop.php@rwec.co.uk ("Rowan Tommins [IMSoP]")

On 29 May 2026 17:26:26 BST, Michael Morris <tendoaki@gmail=2Ecom> wrote:

>This honestly would need to be part of a larger syntax cleanup effort for
>the benefit of both the engine and the users=2E The largest single wart i=
n
>PHP syntax is the having three scope operators ( \, ->, :: ) where its
>sister languages get by with only one ( =2E ) which PHP uses for a differ=
ent
>operation=2E  But I believe that runs into similar problems as the reason=
 why
>PHP requires $ to lead all variables, it has to do with how the engine
>handles these symbols=2E  I suspect that some of these problems are
>intractable and even if they can be solved the performance hit in solving
>them might be severe=2E If that isn't the case (or isn't the case anymore=
)
>then those structures too would be worth review=2E


Hendrik's original proposal seems pointless but mostly harmless=2E I'd pro=
bably vote against because it's just unnecessary complexity=2E=20


A mode that lets you write PHP code with all the syntax spelled with diffe=
rent symbols sounds about as practical as the module which lets you write P=
erl code using grammatically correct Latin: https://metacpan=2Eorg/dist/Lin=
gua-Romana-Perligata/view/lib/Lingua/Romana/Perligata=2Epm

Every time you wanted to use an example from online, or just move some cod=
e from one file to another, you'd have to use a tool to translate it from "=
traditional PHP" to "all-new looksmaxxed PHP"=2E=20


A "strict mode" that turns off certain features has been proposed many tim=
es over the years, and always rejected in favour of moving the language in =
a consistent direction=2E

If you just want to forbid those features in your own programs, use a stat=
ic analyser=2E If you want to remove their complexity from the language, a =
"strict mode" won't help=2E=20



Rowan Tommins
[IMSoP]