Req #76865 [Opn]: RFC: make `array_*` functions handling `iterable`, not only `array`

Edit report at https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=76865&edit=1 ID: 76865 Updated by: requinix@php.net Reported by: scif-1986 at ya dot ru Summary: RFC: make array_* functions handling iterable, not only array Status: Open Type: Feature/Change Request Package: Arrays related PHP Version: Next Minor Version Block user comment: N Private report: N New Comment: Some comments that will likely arise: * The single-pass functions (eg, map, column, chunk, combine) could benefit from this * The more complicated functions (eg, diff) would need iterator_to_array * iterator_apply would presumably be made an alias of array_map * These functions can be called multiple times on arrays but not necessarily so on iterators * What happens when the iterator is exhausted? That last point is the main reason why this question tends to be resolved one way: using iterator_to_array is a benefit, not a hindrance, as it reminds the developer that the source was not a simple array that can be easily reused. Previous Comments: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2018-09-12 01:29:11] scif-1986 at ya dot ru Actually, these functions will still return an array as a result :) Also, I can't find any suitable name for such functions. iterable_diff()? Looks ugly. And array will still be the valid input. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2018-09-12 01:20:21] carusogabriel@php.net This is something I'd love to see implemented, but, I don't know if we should change the array_* functions. By they starting with "array_", we presume that one of the arguments is gonna be an array, not an iterable. I can try to create POC within the next weeks and open for discussion on internals@ :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2018-09-12 01:04:19] scif-1986 at ya dot ru Description: ------------ The iterable pseudo-type has been introduced for a while and is very useful. While array_*() core functions are still doesn't support iterable as argument and works with array only. Obviously, I'm talking about array_map()/array_column()/array_diff(),array_chunk()/array_combine()… which don't change an argument by pointer. Sorry, don't know C, so it's just an idea :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Edit this bug report at https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=76865&edit=1