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Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2014 19:59:12 +0000
Cc: Stas Malyshev <smalyshev@gmail.com>,
 Robert Stoll <php@tutteli.ch>,
 PHP Internals <internals@lists.php.net>
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To: Stas Malyshev <smalyshev@sugarcrm.com>
Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] Types on the right or on the left
From: ajf@ajf.me (Andrea Faulds)


> On 3 Nov 2014, at 19:48, Stas Malyshev <smalyshev@sugarcrm.com> wrote:
>=20
> Hi!
>=20
>> This is an unfair comparison. Hack is a compatible superset of PHP,
>> much like TypeScript is a compatible superset of JavaScript.
>=20
> So? PHP once borrowed Perl syntax, and Java syntax, and so on. Hack
> borrowed PHP syntax, and that's great. But that doesn't mean what they
> do in their own language should constraint what we do in PHP.

Again, an unfair comparison. Hack isn=E2=80=99t intended to be a =
completely separate language. It=E2=80=99s supposed to be an augmented =
PHP, which is compatible with PHP. PHP code can use Hack code (in HHVM, =
anyway) and Hack code can use PHP code. Hack is a superset of PHP. There =
are transitional modes, too.

>=20
>> I=E2=80=99d rather there be less divergence between Hack and PHP, to =
limit
>> the damage that it causes to the community.
>=20
> I don't see any damage to the community. How PHP not matching other
> language's syntax does any damage to the community? What kind of =
damage
> and where this damage comes from? Are we damaged because PHP arrays =
and
> Perl arrays have different syntax, despite obvious Perl roots in PHP?

The damage is in fragmentation. Hack threatens to fragment the PHP =
community by making people jump ship to use its added features. While =
the whole Hack community can use PHP libraries, only some of the PHP =
community (HHVM users) can use Hack code. The consequences of this could =
be severe.

I=E2=80=99d rather there are less differences between PHP and Hack so =
there are less reasons to switch. Though I suppose the specific syntax =
of types is probably not a major issue.

--
Andrea Faulds
http://ajf.me/