2) In short and clear, why are braces not being used ? C++,
C# uses it. (Short answer and if the answer is "Developer
didn't want to do it..." just say "Usual"
We are not C++. Python doesn't use braces.
The only neediness for braces is placing several namespaces into one file,
but one of the goal of our concept is avoiding this.
Your answered like "We are not like C#, but we are like Python.". I'm
not the one that will point that Python always try to be a unique
language or will criticize you.
I've read dozen of PHP books, and what I suggested earlier is only
based on what I've read.
The topic is always entitled as "block scope".
Since namespace is a block scope too, so it's a commom sense. It's
easier to read, easier to understand, etc.
Your short answer is "no, because it's not needed, since there'll be
only one namespace per file."
It doesn't matter is one, two or hundreds namespaces are defined in a
single file, but the KIS idea must remain. Stanislav mentioned that
file names, directories, etc do not require braces.
Ok, but we are not talking about File System, we are talking about
language structure and standards. PHP uses braces to define new scope,
like block scope, loops, if-else, switch, function, classes, etc.
But namespaces are different!
Why different? It's another language functionality, as all others I mentioned.
So, let's change the PHP to allow only one class per file, and remove
the braces' need too. Classes are different too.
Or maybe better... only one namespace per file and only in one file.
Namespaces are different, as you said!
If PHP supports more than one namespace per file, why not provide it
to developers? It's a functionality, not a bug. Do not restrict
functionalities because you do not like them.
I'm repeating... it's up to the PHP developer decide if he wants this
or that way to code. Currently he's able to define more than one class
in a single file. Ok, I don't do it, and will do one namespace per
file (and continue one class per file), but I don't think that this
restriction is really necessary.
That's my final point, and my last try to talk about braces. Seems you
do not like external ideas.
I'll give you an example... PHP Doctrine package has a lot of files,
hundreds... there is a way to compile it in a single file, to save
some memory usage for including these files. Including a single file
Putting all code together in the same file rarely saves any significant
amount of memory and leads to a very messy code. Of course, it's your
application and your decision, but I don't see any reason to promote
such style on the language level. Anyway, if you can do with everything
in single file, I think having single namespace won't hurt.
It saves the time needed to include all the files and also the memory
that it saves for calling require_once, include_once, etc.
Forget this, it was only one illustration that such optimizations
(what Doctrine call as compile into a single file) does. You keep all
the hundred files but you have one "compiled" with all the code.
2 - Overwrite will be implemented?
Something like: overwrite function strlen( ... ) { ... }
What it's supposed to do?
I think it's overload. Someone mentioned earlier and I was curious if
you implemented this or not.
<?php
class Bar { ... }
<?php
namespace Foo {
class Bar { ... }
}
<?php
import Foo;
For 100th time, import Foo is a no-op. I'm thinking about prohibiting it
at all... If you do import Foo::bar you'll get an error if Bar is
already defined.
I was supposed to suggest triggering a E_NOTICE that Bar is already
defined and instantiate the Bar class of "global". But if you want
something more radical... =)
4 - Will namespaces support anything else than functions and classes
(like constants, for example)?
Not likely, since there's no such thing as free-form constant. Though,
in fact, we might add one (i.e. const X = 'foo' which is define('X',
'foo')) ... But, if you need a constant, why not put it into a class?
Bad example I did. I was supposed to ask for namespace level
variables. Not in global scope, not in class scope. =)
I have another questions regarding namespace support... well, about
function support.
1- How will is_a, instanceof, will behave in this situation?
$a = new NS1::SubNS1::MyClass();
echo is_a( $a, "MyClass" ); ????? true/false?
echo is_a( $a, "NS1::SubNS1::MyClass" ); ???
2- Will exist some namespace specific functions? Examples:
$a = namespace_contains( "SomeClass" );
$b = namespace_exists( "NS1" );
$c = is_a_namespace_class ( $NS1ObjString );
// ......
Best regards,
--
Guilherme Blanco - Web Developer
CBC - Certified Bindows Consultant
Cell Phone: +55 (16) 9166-6902
MSN: guilhermeblanco@hotmail.com
URL: http://blog.bisna.com
São Carlos - SP/Brazil