Are you suggesting the following?
function foo(Bar[] $bars) // required to pass an array of Bar objects
function foo(Bar[] $bars = null) // required to pass an array of Bar
or null members
No. This is ambiguous, as you imply. I prefer c# syntax.
...because if so, how do I specify an optional array of Bar objects?
And how do I specify an optional array of Bar or null?
The whole concept of allowing null members seems to completely defeat
the purpose of the ArrayOf hint for me. I can understand wanting to
make the parameter optional, but I cannot see a use case for null
members from the point of view of the caller. I never null out members
of an array, I only omit them from the declaration or remove the
member from the array via e.g. unset() or stack operations (pop(),
shift() etc). YMMV of course, but for me allowing null members just
makes the callee's life more difficult and does not gain anything.
Have to agree, there is not too much value in this. ;)
Usecase: No need to write a mock for third and seventh array element. In fact i can't think of other usecases. It's only a simple logical extension of "function (A $a = null)".