Bug #76707 [NEW]: PHP Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '&'

From: ASchmidt at Anamera dot net Operating system: Win64 PHP version: 7.2.8 Package: Variables related Bug Type: Bug Bug description:PHP Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '&' Description: ------------ One can use an if/then/else construct to conditionally assign a reference to a variable. However, the more compact/readable assignment by means a ternary operator, rejects the "&" before the variable. Test script: --------------- <?php declare(strict_types=1); $myArray = array( [ 'pear', 'sweet' ], [ 'orange', 'sour' ] ); if ( isset( $myArray [5] ) ) $entryRef = &$myArray [5]; else $entryRef = &$myArray [1]; echo $entryRef[1]; // works // Syntax error: $entryRef = isset( $myArray [5] ) ? &$myArray[5] : &$myArray[1]; Expected result: ---------------- $entryRef = &$variable; is a valid assignment - so it seems counterintuitive for the similar assignment $entryRef = condition ? &$variable1 : NULL; to be "invalid syntax". Actual result: -------------- PHP Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '&' -- Edit bug report at https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=76707&edit=1 -- Try a snapshot (PHP 5.4): https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=trysnapshot54 Try a snapshot (PHP 5.5): https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=trysnapshot55 Try a snapshot (trunk): https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=trysnapshottrunk Fixed in SVN: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=fixed Fixed in release: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=alreadyfixed Need backtrace: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=needtrace Need Reproduce Script: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=needscript Try newer version: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=oldversion Not developer issue: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=support Expected behavior: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=notwrong Not enough info: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=notenoughinfo Submitted twice: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=submittedtwice register_globals: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=globals PHP 4 support discontinued: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=php4 Daylight Savings: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=dst IIS Stability: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=isapi Install GNU Sed: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=gnused Floating point limitations: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=float No Zend Extensions: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=nozend MySQL Configuration Error: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=76707&r=mysqlcfg