On Sun, 18 Feb 2018, Andreas Hennings wrote:
> I sometimes use var_export() to export a structured array and then
> copy+paste it into my code.
> And sometimes I use it as part of an automatic code generator.
To iterate the purpose of var_export():
Output a variable structure in such a way that PHP can read it back in
by parsing it. Anything else, is just being nice.
> Unfortunately, the output is usually not in the format that I want, or
> that is common for most projects / code styles.
>
> - Indentation is 2 spaces instead of 4, as in most projects.
> - It uses traditional "array()" format, instead of "[]".
> - It puts a space after "array", so "array (" instead of "array(".
> - It puts "array (" on a new line after "=>", instead of "'key' =>
> array(" on one line.
> - Empty arrays occupy two lines instead of one, so "array (\n)"
> instead of "array ()".
>
> E.g. https://3v4l.org/nl4uJ
As opinions are going to differ on what is the "right way", expect that
part of the discussion to turn into bike-shedding.
> ## Proposed change
>
> I really think the default behavior of var_export() must remain
> unchanged for BC.
> Re-running the same script in different PHP versions should produce
> the same output each time.
>
> What we can do is add a third parameter with flags.
> Then we can introduce named flag combinations for known code styles.
>
> Flag constants could be
> - VAR_EXPORT_INDENT_TAB
> - VAR_EXPORT_INDENT_2
> - VAR_EXPORT_INDENT_3
> - VAR_EXPORT_INDENT_4
> - VAR_EXPORT_ARRAY_SHORT_SYNTAX for "[]" instead of "array (..)".
> - VAR_EXPORT_ARRAY_NO_INITIAL_BREAK for " => array (" instead of "
> =>\n array(".
> - VAR_EXPORT_ARRAY_NO_INITIAL_SPACE for "array(" instead of "array (".
> - VAR_EXPORT_ARRAY_ONELINE_IF_EMPTY
>
> >From other discussions:
> - VAR_EXPORT_STDCLASS_AS_CAST for "(object)array (.." instead of
> "stdClass::__set_state(array(..))".
> - VAR_EXPORT_FQCN for "\stdClass" and "\Acme\Animal" instead of
> "stdClass" and "Acme\Animal".
>
> The naming is open for debate, of course.
I think this is all a big overkill, especially when you take into the
account the purpose of var_export.
cheers,
Derick
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