[RFC] Deprecations for PHP 8.6

Hi,

I propose deprecating SplFileObject CSV methods like fputcsv, fgetcsv, setCsvControl, and getCsvControl.

These APIs are complex and hard to maintain, and named arguments expose design inconsistencies, causing long-standing issues.

We should consider replacing them with a dedicated ext/csv that provides a cleaner, stream-friendly CSV API.

https://github.com/php/php-src/pull/22160

If you provide me with text proposal (ideally in DokuWiki format, but markdown is fine) I'm happy to include it in the bulk RFC.
I will however not be writing it myself.

Best regards,

Gina P. Banyard

On Tue, Jun 23, 2026 at 9:56 AM Muhammed Arshid KV arshidkv12@gmail.com
wrote:

Hi,

I propose deprecating SplFileObject CSV methods like fputcsv, fgetcsv,
setCsvControl, and getCsvControl.

These APIs are complex and hard to maintain, and named arguments expose
design inconsistencies, causing long-standing issues.

We should consider replacing them with a dedicated ext/csv that provides
a cleaner, stream-friendly CSV API.

https://github.com/php/php-src/pull/22160

Regards.

Arshid

Hi Arshid,

While I agree that CSV handling can and should be improved in core PHP,
deprecating the current API without providing at least the start of a
replacement API seems premature to me.
We should first focus on providing a better/improved CSV experience in PHP.
Then, if:

• we all agree on a new API
• everyone starts using it and it becomes popular
• and the path to migrate to the new API is made as straightforward as
  possible

then we can start discussing the process of deprecating the current
feature. Anything else would be counterproductive at the moment.

Best regards,
Ignace