PHP5/ZE2: variables definition, constant variables

Hello, I am using mainly C/C++, but have some experience with Java, VB, JavaScript etc. I started to use PHP4 about 3 months ago, and I am very impressed how fast it can be learned. My understanding of the languages cababilities is definitely less then complete, but I am already missing some features. Namespaces, static and privat class variables are scheduled for PHP5. What I do not like about PHP variables, is that they do not have to be defined before use. Also there is some inconsistence at this. Personly, I would like a behaviour similar to visual basic. Maybe with some kind of option variable (maybe only responsible for actual context (class, namespace, file)). - Victor ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 1 (strict): class a { $OPTION['strict'] = true; // only for this class var $ID; // define ID var static $count = 0; // define ref counter function a() { $this->ID = self::$count++; // this would result in an error if ID is not defined $ID = $this->ID; // works in PHP3/4 , should result in an error in PHP5 with strict checking echo $this->ID; } ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Case 2 (loose/normal): class b { static $count = 0; // define ref counter function b() { $this->ID = self::$count++; // works $ID = $this->ID; // works too echo $this->ID; } ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- one more think I do not like is: class foo { const hey = 'hello'; } print foo::hey; ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- should be: class foo { const $hey = 'hello'; } print foo::$hey;