Fix type juggling notes for list() and array destructuring #3680
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Update notes about the handling of missing keys and non-arrays during array destructuring to match the behavior seen on 3v4l.org, which doesn't issue a warning or notice in some cases where the documentation claims it does. Also update list() docs to provide the same information. list(): * missing key: https://3v4l.org/bYBt6 * destructuring an integer: https://3v4l.org/7lNhK * a boolean: https://3v4l.org/p5LDd * a string: https://3v4l.org/KHSAH * null: https://3v4l.org/lk1iu array notation: * missing key: https://3v4l.org/KCiTC * destructuring an integer: https://3v4l.org/louVG * a boolean: https://3v4l.org/SWL5L * a string: https://3v4l.org/aK90L * null: https://3v4l.org/Y8cOY Fixes php#3640.
MatmaRex
reviewed
Aug 31, 2024
| Array dereferencing a scalar value which is not a <type>string</type> | ||
| yields &null;. Prior to PHP 7.4.0, that did not issue an error message. | ||
| As of PHP 7.4.0, this issues <constant>E_NOTICE</constant>; | ||
| as of PHP 8.0.0, this issues <constant>E_WARNING</constant>. |
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This was about array dereferencing ($a = 42; $a[0]) not destructuring ([$a] = 42;), and I think it was correct. Only destructuring weirdly yields null with no warning.
MatmaRex
reviewed
Aug 31, 2024
| </note> | ||
| <note> | ||
| <para> | ||
| Attempting to access element of a scalar value yields &null;. |
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I would say: "Attempting to unpack a scalar value assigns null to all variables." to be consistent with the existing wording.
There's also already a note above: "Strings can not be unpacked" which should probably say "Only arrays and objects that implement ArrayAccess can be unpacked".
And an example below, where the comment could be clarified:
// list() doesn't work with strings
list($bar) = "abcde";
var_dump($bar); // NULL
DanielEScherzer
requested changes
Jun 23, 2025
| yields &null;. Prior to PHP 7.4.0, that did not issue an error message. | ||
| As of PHP 7.4.0, this issues <constant>E_NOTICE</constant>; | ||
| as of PHP 8.0.0, this issues <constant>E_WARNING</constant>. | ||
| Dereferencing a scalar value ields &null;. |
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Suggested change
| Dereferencing a scalar value ields &null;. | |
| Dereferencing a scalar value yields &null;. |
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Update notes about the handling of missing keys and non-arrays during array destructuring to match the behavior seen on 3v4l.org, which doesn't issue a warning or notice in some cases where the documentation claims it does. Also update list() docs to provide the same information.
list():
array notation:
Fixes #3640.