allow_call_time_pass_reference?

Hi, Why allow_call_time_pass_reference is deprecated? I mean it should be the choice of the programmer to make use of pass by reference or not. Example: $this_string = $is_really_big // lets say 500 kb function ($this_string){} // Here the function takes a copy of $this_string (500 kb) -> in php4 function (& $this_string){} // Here the function takes only the address of $this_string (I guess an int value) Make use of the second function is less memory intense. So again. Why this feature should be deprecated? And why (the nonsens!) to give hostmasters the possibility to switch this off in the php.ini? Thanks atu