Hi all, Firstly, I don't intend this for PHP 7.0 strictly.
PHP is made for Web. It means PHP is made for interacting other systems/data. Currently, we only have "int" and "float" strictly bounded to native "unsigned int" and "IEEE 754 double". This causes problems for interacting other systems/data. Conversion to native data type causes problem like RFC 7159 "6 Numbers" points out. https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7159 PHP's "int" is more limited because safe value is least common and it's signed 32 bit integer. To resolve this issue, how about to have - is_digits() and digits type for digits only inputs(integer like string) - is_numeric() and numeric type for float like string These check if variable contains only digits or float like string. It's pseudo type, but it prevents developers to specify "int"/"float" type wrongly. These may be extended to allow GMP int/float. Having these make sense for a language made for interaction and make basic type hint use intuitive. IMO. I wouldn't like to write too long mail. My thoughts and concerns are in my blog mostly. http://blog.ohgaki.net/php7-is-going-to-be-strictly-typed-language-will-this-work http://blog.ohgaki.net/dont-use-php7-type-hint-for-external-data Any comments? Regards, -- Yasuo Ohgaki yohg...@ohgaki.net