Re: Class Extension

. > > As far as scalar methods goes, I hate my implementation. I’m not suggesting someone else > could do better, only that the compromises necessary to implement it weren’t worth it. After > having implemented it and seen what it demands, I think the right choice is Autoboxing with > extensions on the box rather than ever allowing $this to not be an > object. > > This is a heated topic lately and I don’t pretend to be an expert. > Typing this email this morning gave me real hesitation. If I can’t support my own implementation, no one else should either. I immediately set out to build a better version that I could put my full weight behind. Autoboxing turned out to be a non-starter as well. The code just didn’t fit the model of the code PHP uses. That led me to a diffident path. C# 14 recently added a new extensions syntax to allow for properties and more. When I saw it, I knew it was the right solution. ``` extension string $str { function length() { return strlen($str); } } var_dump(“test”->length()); // int(4) ``` By declaring the parameter inline with the extension declaration, we eliminate the downcast of $this, the fake accessibility constraints, and all the sharp edges the old way introduces. I immediately rewrote all 3 RFCs to use this new syntax, as well as the code to implement it. Anyone who has been following these discussions, please skim the updated docs for changes.