RE: [PHP-DEV] Return Type Hinting for Methods RFC

> From: Will Fitch [mailto:will.fitch@gmail.com] > > I would like to take this opportunity to query on a consensus: > > Would you prefer to allow methods with type hinted return values to return null at will, or add > a marker noting that it *may* return null? > > Example: Return null at will > > public ArrayIterator getIterator() > { > // something happened, will return null > return null; > } > > Example: Return only if identified as such > > public ArrayIterator? getIterator() > { > return null; > } I hate the syntax in the second example (using ?). IMO allowing null should be the default unless specifically disallowed. I far prefer the addition/use of a keyword ("notnull" or "null") to disallow (or allow) as opposed to random symbol abuse (potential incompatibilities notwithstanding). John Crenshaw Priacta, Inc.