Hello Internals, Since feature freeze for 8.1 is approaching, I want to request two useful string functions that exist in various languages-especially those that run on web servers and used in databases. These are respectively `left();` and `right();`
Whether it is VBScript or MySQL, these two functions are available there. When I learnt PHP more than half a decade ago, I wondered why PHP had no functions that provide the same functionality as these two languages provide. Although both of these functions can be created in the userland, I request to build them in core for the following reasons: 1. They are standard functions in various languages. This article <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_programming_languages_(string_f unctions)#left>, available on Wikipedia, compares various languages in regard to string functions and recognizes left and right functions as a general term to make sense of the attitude of these functions. 2. To achieve the effect of these functions, one needs to use `substr();`. If these functions are introduced, it will be clear on the readers' level the actual purpose of the use of that string function. 3. There may be libraries that provide with the similar functionality; why not add this popular function to the core and make it available for everyone to use? IT will not require people to include such heavy libraries to their projects for such little and useful functions. 4. In the recent versions, PHP did include "str_contains", "str_ends_with", "str_starts_with", "array_key_first", and "array_key_last" functions. All of these functions are buildable in the userland, yet they have managed to make place to the core because of their popularity. Why not these two functions? If one has issues with the name choice, this is something that can be discussed. This request also takes inspiration from Kim Hallberg's proposal for `clamp();` function. His email encouraged me to put my word on the table. I am positive that senior developers would provide me with the feedback on my suggestion. I am also positive that my request will be added to 8.1. I thank you all for reading through my message and dropping a word. Best Regards Hamza Ahmad -- PHP Internals - PHP Runtime Development Mailing List To unsubscribe, visit: https://www.php.net/unsub.php
