[DISCUSSION] C++ Enhancements in Zend API

Hello,

I’m considering adding some C++ enhancements to the Zend API. These changes
would be encapsulated within #ifdef __cplusplus guards, so they wouldn’t
interfere with the existing C implementation. The primary goal is to
provide a nicer interface for extensions while maintaining compatibility
with C.

Key points:

• Struct-based Approach: Everything will still use structs—no classes
  or non-public/non-static members.
• Isolation: Any enhancements that can be isolated from the C
  implementation will be, and they will reside in a common zend_api_cxx
  header file.
• Proposed Enhancements:
  • Constructors and destructors, along with comparison operator overloads
    for zval.
  • Constructor overloads for common zval initializations.
  • Member methods for common zval operations.

I’m happy to implement and maintain these changes. Since this doesn’t
affect userland, do you think an RFC is necessary?

Also, if anyone has suggestions or ideas for this C++ API, I’d love to hear
them.

Cheers,
Lanre