.
>
> As far as scalar methods goes, I hate my implementation. I’m not suggesting
> someone else could do better, only that the compromises necessary to
> implement it weren’t worth it. After having implemented it and seen what it
> demands, I think the right choice is Autoboxing with extensions on the box
> rather than ever allowing `$this` to not be an object.
>
> This is a heated topic lately and I don’t pretend to be an expert.
>
Typing this email this morning gave me real hesitation. If I can’t support my
own implementation, no one else should either. I immediately set out to build a
better version that I could put my full weight behind.
Autoboxing turned out to be a non-starter as well. The code just didn’t fit the
model of the code PHP uses. That led me to a diffident path.
C# 14 recently added a new extensions syntax to allow for properties and more.
When I saw it, I knew it was the right solution.
```
extension string $str {
function length() {
return strlen($str);
}
}
var_dump(“test”->length()); // int(4)
```
By declaring the parameter inline with the extension declaration, we eliminate
the downcast of `$this`, the fake accessibility constraints, and all the sharp
edges the old way introduces.
I immediately rewrote all 3 RFCs to use this new syntax, as well as the code to
implement it.
Anyone who has been following these discussions, please skim the updated docs
for changes.
