On Wed, 23 Jun 2021 at 15:15, Hamza Ahmad <office.hamzaah...@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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 > > Sorry, but I really don't see the point of these functions. Most other programming languages, by the link you've provided don't have such a function and use either a function similar to substr() or offset ranges. Contrasting this to the clamp() proposal which necessitates multiple function calls to achieve the same result which *could* mean a performance penalty if such a function is in a hot loop (e.g. Machine Learning). To address point 4, yes these convenience functions have been added recently, but they are *extremely* common and their alternatives were rather confusing or cumbersome. And even then there was resistance to add them. All this to say that the burden of maintenance for such a specialized function makes it very unsuitable to be in core. Best regards, George P. Banyard
