note 57719 added to function.array-shift

As of version 5.0.5 it has been decreed that array_shift (and other methods that manipulate an array, like: array_pop, array_push) can no longer accept a reference, only a value. For example: Until 5.0.5 this was perfectly acceptable: $first_element = array_shift(functionThatReturnsAnArray()); now it would have to look a little like this: $arbitrary_array = functionThatReturnsAnArray() $first_element = array_shift($arbitrary_array); or $first_element = array_shift($arbitrary_array = functionThatReturnsAnArray()); The change apparently has something to do with possible memory corruption but that sounds like a cop out to me. Fix the memory corruption if it's a problem, don't break a widely used and hither-to perfectly legitimate piece of syntax, then foist it on an unsuspecting community in a minor version change. Very unimpressed with the cavalier attitude regarding this issue. ---- Manual Page -- http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.array-shift.php Edit -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=edit+57719 Delete: added to the manual -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+57719&report=yes&reason=added+to+the+manual Delete: bad code -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+57719&report=yes&reason=bad+code Delete: spam -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+57719&report=yes&reason=spam Delete: useless -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+57719&report=yes&reason=useless Delete: non-english -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+57719&report=yes&reason=non-english Delete: already in docs -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+57719&report=yes&reason=already+in+docs Delete: other reasons -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=delete+57719&report=yes Reject -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php?action=reject+57719&report=yes Search -- http://master.php.net/manage/user-notes.php