__clone() implementation

I'm currently using PHP4 and I'm evaluating PHP5 for its new exciting features. I have some remarks, split into distinct posts. The first one is about the current implementation of __clone(): * a derived __clone() can't call parent::__clone() because $that is only declared for the first __clone() call. So a derived __clone() has to include the code of its parent's __clone(). It's not only bad programming, but it can't work when a parent implements private members. * when a class implements __clone(), all its derived classes have also to implement it to transfer their own members. There are a several possibilities to get round the first point, but in order to also simplify __clone() implementation, here is a way it could be implemented, close to __construct() implementation: * the system firstly does a bit for bit copy of the source object, * then it calls __clone() (which at worst does nothing, if no class implements it), * __clone() accesses members using $this to handle those (and only those) that need particular actions, * this is the responsibility of a derived __clone() to call (or not) parent::__clone(). Advantages: * same behaviour as __construct(), except that $this is already initialized, * it guaranties that all members will be transfered, by reference for objects, by copy for the others, * __clone() just needs to be implemented to handle members that need particular actions, * derived classes do not need to implement __clone() when one of its parents does, * no more need of $that. In terms of performance, I don't think this implementation is bad, because a bit for bit copy is certainly faster than an interpreted member-to-member transfer, except if all members have to be handled in a particular way. I also consider the __clone() implementation not coherent with its calling syntax. Indeed "$newObj = $obj->__clone();" lets think of an implementation like this: <? class Foo { function __clone() { $o = new Foo($this->..., $this->...); $o->...; // eventually return $o; } } ?> Because __clone() is considered as a copy constructor, it could be implemented in a similar way as for object construction, for example: "$newObj = clone $obj;", "clone" being a language keyword. Regards, Stephane