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Date: 22 Jan 2004 14:48:19 -0000
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Subject: base class
From: stephane.drouard@st.com (Stephane Drouard)

PHP implements an "stdClass". I expected that:
* this was the base class for all classes, even if they do not explicitly "extends stdClass",
* this class implemented all the "standard" methods (__construct(), __destruct(), ...).

In the PHP5 presentation, it is mentionned the interest of unified constructors. Currently it is not possible to call parent::__construct() if the class does not derived from another one, or none of its parent implements a constructor.
Another problem: when you change a class implementation and decide to now implement a constructor, you have to review all its derived classes.
Which finally limits the benefit of unified constructors.

I think all classes should be derived from a common base class (stdClass or a new dedicated one), even if it's not explicitly written. This base class should also implement all the standard methods:

__construct()
  Empty.

__destruct()
  Empty.

__clone()
  Does the bit for bit copy of the object.
  Note: I also added a post concerning a new cloning implementation proposal. In that case, __clone() would be empty.

__toString()
  To be compatible with the current implementation, this method should return "Object id #n". However I would prefer it returns the class name instead, which gives a more useful piece of information than it's ID.

__get()
  Display the "Notice: Undefined property ..." and returns NULL.

__set()
  Create a new member (public).
  Note: I would appreciate that a notice is also displayed, because I don't consider this is a normal way to create members.

__call()
  Generates a "Fatal error: Call to undefined method ...".

Regards,
Stephane