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Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 05:12:49 +0300
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Subject: Short syntax for array literals [...]
From: sv_forums@fmethod.com ("Stan Vassilev | FM")

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Hi,

I hear this often by other developers and I tend to agree with them, =
that arrays are used often, and often nested, so that having a long =
syntax for array literals tend to produce less legible code than in =
other scriping languages.

$a =3D array(array(1,2), array(3,4), 5, 6);

$b =3D array('a' =3D> 1, 'b' =3D>2);

We use arrays in our configurations, in passing complex parameters to =
functions, fetching information from databases, basically everything. So =
it adds up.

Some frameworks have somewhat funny attempts to remedy this by =
introducing "shortcuts" like this:   function a() { return =
func_get-args(); }. Of course this doesn't work when you need to specify =
the key name, and the overhead isn't worth it.

It looks as there may not be a specific reason not to allow the JS =
syntax as an alternative syntax (while keeping the current one in =
parallel):

$a =3D [[1, 2], [3, 4], 5, 6];

$b =3D ['a' =3D> 1, 'b' =3D>2];

There shouldn't be confusion to the parser as the brackets aren't =
preceded by an identifier.

Was this discussed before on the list?

Regards,=20
Stan Vassilev 
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