What's New in PHP 7.3 in 30 Seconds in Diffs

2018-08-16

From features that might be the most interesting to those lesser ones, that anybody will rarely use.

1. Comma After the Last Argument

See RFC

Do you know this?

 $array = [
     1,
+    2,
 ];

We'll be able to do this:

 $this->someFunction(
     $arg,
+    $arg2,
 );

But still not this:

 function someFunction(
     $arg,
+    $arg2,
 ) {}

Thanks Jacob for pointing this difference out.

25 seconds to go...

2. First and Last Array Key

See RFC

• array_key_first

 $items = [
     1 => 'a',
     2 => 'b',
 ];

-reset($items);
-$firstKey = key($items);
+$firstKey = array_key_first($items);
 var_dump($firstKey); // 1

• array_key_last

 $items = [
     1 => 'a',
     2 => 'b',
 ];

-end($items);
-$lastKey = key($items);
+$lastKey = array_key_last($items);
 var_dump($lastKey); // 2

These will be handy in coding standard tools.

Still 15 seconds...

3. Countable for Risky Variables

See RFC

I don't think having a variable of 2 forms is a good idea:

<?php

$items = null; // same as "private $items;" in a class

echo sprintf('There is %d items', count($items));
// error Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable

But in case of that smelly (3rd party) code, there is a help:

• is_countable

 $items = null;

+if (is_countable($items)) {
-echo sprintf('There is %d items', count($items));
+     echo sprintf('There is %d items', count($items));
+}

Only 5 seconds, hurry!

4. Safer JSON Parsing

See RFC

-json_encode($data);
+json_encode($data, JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);

-json_decode($json);
+json_decode($json, false, 512, JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);

So you'll be able to do:

try {
    return json_decode($json, false, 512, JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR);
} catch (JsonException $exception) {
    // ...
}

I've used similar technique for years thanks to Nette\Utils and I've never complained:

<?php

try {
    return Nette\Utils\Json::encode($value);
} catch (Nette\Utils\JsonException $exception) {
    // ...
}

...0, you made it! Congrats, now get back to pwning the world!

Did I miss a feature you plan to use from day 1 of your PHP 7.3? I might too, drop it in the comments!

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