Req #79669 [Com]: Nullable variables

Edit report at https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=79669&edit=1 ID: 79669 Comment by: bugreports at gmail dot com Reported by: valentiny510 at gmail dot com Summary: Nullable variables Status: Feedback Type: Feature/Change Request Package: Variables related Operating System: nix PHP Version: Next Major Version Block user comment: N Private report: N New Comment: > I want to be able to assign a variable without knowing if is set or not $x ??= 'my default'; does exactly that Previous Comments: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2020-06-03 11:18:02] valentiny510 at gmail dot com Deeply in my heart I want the error removed, "Undefined variable: x" is absolutelly useless and "too verbose" for my taste I want to be able to assign a variable without knowing if is set or not $a = $b; or $a = $c['d']['e']; In the mayority of cases you need to check if is null anyways if ($a)... or if (!is_null($a))... But, since this is very unlikely to occur, at least, Yes, I want a shorter version of the coalesce operator, Like I already said... $a = $b ?? null; means "if is null, null, else null" and I want... $a = $b; meaning "if is null and I don't have any other option, then leave it null" The parse could simply ask "is set $b ?" then evaluate to null (as it already does), then ask again "I have ?? after $b?" if no, return the null that Already Evaluated... Is simple, and maybe... maybe may cause (in some extraordinary exceptions) some issues where you can have two options, 1. that $b can be set but have null assigned 2. is not set and you can not decide, but I think that is isset( ) function for So, if none of this is possible, at least I want to be extended the "nullable things" to variables and maybe other objects like classes $a = ?(new some_class); # nullable class/object (very unlikely but...) in this case if some_class doesn't exists, can be converted automatically to a "new null" where all functions return always null (maybe similar to stdClass) and yes, I know I can implement that in the autoloader but maybe you don't want that all classes be converted to null and yes, you can also do $a = class_exists(...) ? new ... : new Null; but... In this bug/request I want at least one of this two things $a = ?$b; # nullable variable, or $a =? $b; # nullable operator... More feedback? Thank you ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2020-06-03 09:29:10] danack@php.net I have no idea what you are saying. Please write clearly: i) The code that you are currently writing that you don't like. ii) a description of why that is a problem. I get that you want something to be shorter, but you haven't said what. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [2020-06-03 09:20:47] valentiny510 at gmail dot com Description: ------------ The coalescing operator is one of the best life (or write) savers, and still in some situations became a bit redundant, assuming $b is not set... $a = $b ?? null; meaning "if is null, null, else null" And we have to do this only to avoid the errors flooding the log... (yes, I know we can disable it with error_reporting, but that will also disable other errors that we may want to see) Another good thing is the nullable type, but sadly it only apply to... types So, my request is to extend the "nullable" to other... things, like variables for instance, and I think will be a great life saver Ex: $a = ?$b; Seeing the above assignment, probably will be better to create a new operator, =? Meaning of course, assign the right side if isset, otherwise null Thank you ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Edit this bug report at https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=79669&edit=1