Hi internals
I would like to propose extending PHP with support functions to enable
interactive console work on Windows system. I mean the ability to
control a PHP script running from the console using arrow keys, or
function keys like "F1", etc. For example, when a list is displayed to
the user and the user can select the desired item using the arrow keys
and confirm it with the Enter key.
An analysis of other solutions, a detailed description of the problems
and a proof of concept is in the proposal in the issue here:
https://github.com/php/php-src/issues/12227
The short version is that on Linux you can use "fread" function to read
these keys (arrows, etc.) if you use an external stty command to set
the console input processing modes (for example the laravel/prompts
package use "stty -icanon -isig -echo"). However, there is no
equivalent of the stty command for Windows (without the need to use
the FFI extension, or the need to call an external program to read
pressed keys, see issue for more details), so I propose to extend PHP
with support functions for setting the console input mode
(ENABLE_ECHO_INPUT, ENABLE_LINE_INPUT, ENABLE_PROCESSED_INPUT,
ENABLE_VIRTUAL_TERMINAL_INPUT) by "SetConsoleMode" function, see:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/console/setconsolemode
I would like to know your opinion on this proposal. Or if you have any
questions.
And then as a next step I would like to create an RFC proposing these
functions for Windows support. And possibly I could help with
implementation (see my proof of concept in the issue).
Alternatively, there is the question of whether to generalize this and
directly design a multiplatform API that would allow to read these keys
without the need to use any external programs even on Linux (where
"stty" is used). But I don't know which has a better chance of
implementation, a simple extension for Windows or a more complex
multiplatform solution.
Best regards
Patrik Pasterčík