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To: "Stas Malyshev" <smalyshev@sugarcrm.com>
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Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:17:46 +0300
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Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] Inline typecasting / typehinting for classes and interfaces
From: sv_forums@fmethod.com ("Stan Vass")

> Hi!
>
>> All right, your method accepts an array of objects, instances of Foo. How 
>> do
>> you enforce this contract?
>
> You are trying to re-invent generics/parametrized types and bolt it onto
> PHP. I still don't think it is a good idea - PHP is not a statically
> typed language. Just check you array elements if you need.

You're 10 years too late to argue the merits of typehints in PHP.

I am not proposing the introduction of typehints. I'm just saying "we have 
the option to use them in arguments, let's have the options inline too."
This way we can validate expressions and structures we can't today, in a 
minimal, readable, consistent, easy to maintain way.

> By "peppering" here you mean one if. Yes, this is my proposal - if you
> need to do a check - do a check.

Yes, exactly: one if. For your entire codebase that has one single 
assignment in it.

Or one foreach. Pick one or the other, but not both, otherwise they become 
two ifs, and that invalidated your argument.

>> The same applies to typehints, so make up your mind.
>
> No it does not. But this is exactly why I think one of the problems with
> strict typing in arguments is - because people take it and starting to
> use it as a legitimation of turning PHP into weird hybrid of dynamically
> typed language with random islands of static typing popping in random
> places. I still do not think it is a good idea.

Saying "weird hybrid random islands popping random" doesn't make simple type 
validation hints any more awkward than they were yesterday before I posted 
this thread, Stas.

Stan