Doc #70800 [NEW]: Doc error on class definition order

From: joel at kociolek dot org Operating system: Any PHP version: 5.6.14 Package: Class/Object related Bug Type: Documentation Problem Bug description:Doc error on class definition order Description: ------------ --- From manual page: http://www.php.net/language.oop5.inheritance --- (Followup to Bug #70783) The doc states that "Unless autoloading is used, then classes must be defined before they are used. If a class extends another, then the parent class must be declared before the child class structure. This rule applies to classes that inherit other classes and interfaces." This is not strictly true. There are cases that work and do not even emit a warning that allows classes to be defined after they are first used. Test script: --------------- All of these do work: class B extends A {} class A {} class B extends A {} class C extends B {} class A {} class C extends B {} class A {} class B extends A {} class B extends A implements I { use T; } class A {} trait T {} interface I {} All of these produce fatal errors: class C extends B {} class B extends A {} class A {} (PHP Fatal error: Class 'B' not found) trait T {} class B extends A {} class A { use T; } (PHP Fatal error: Class 'A' not found) interface I {} class B extends A {} class A implements I {} (PHP Fatal error: Class 'A' not found) class A { use U; } trait U { use T; } trait T {} (PHP Fatal error: Trait 'U' not found) Expected result: ---------------- The doc should use "should" instead of "must" and should ideally explain when defining classes before they are used is a must and when it is not. "Unless autoloading is used, then classes should be defined before they are used. If a class extends another, then the parent class should be declared before the child class structure. This rule applies to classes that inherit other classes and interfaces. As an exception to this rule, classes that do [... explanation as to when it is not obligatory...] may be used before they are defined" Actual result: -------------- Doc does not state which class definition order really works or not. -- Edit bug report at https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=70800&edit=1 -- Try a snapshot (PHP 5.4): https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=trysnapshot54 Try a snapshot (PHP 5.5): https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=trysnapshot55 Try a snapshot (trunk): https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=trysnapshottrunk Fixed in SVN: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=fixed Fixed in release: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=alreadyfixed Need backtrace: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=needtrace Need Reproduce Script: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=needscript Try newer version: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=oldversion Not developer issue: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=support Expected behavior: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=notwrong Not enough info: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=notenoughinfo Submitted twice: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=submittedtwice register_globals: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=globals PHP 4 support discontinued: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=php4 Daylight Savings: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=dst IIS Stability: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=isapi Install GNU Sed: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=gnused Floating point limitations: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=float No Zend Extensions: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=nozend MySQL Configuration Error: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=70800&r=mysqlcfg