> -----Original Message-----
> From: Olumide Samson <oludons...@gmail.com>
> Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2019 6:03 PM
> To: Dan Ackroyd <dan...@basereality.com>
> Cc: Zeev Suraski <z...@php.net>; PHP internals <internals@lists.php.net>
> Subject: Re: [PHP-DEV] Changing fundamental language behaviors
> 
> The RFC is Request for Comment on any changes, is there an explicit or 
> implicit
> mention about what kind of proposed changes can be made?

While the Voting RFC was probably one of my worst creations - because it's was 
so laconic and lacking (although it still probably did more good for PHP than 
bad) - yes - there's a strong implication as to what it's meant to deal with 
and what it isn't meant to deal with.

Here's what the Voting RFC said:
"Given that changes to languages (as opposed to changes to apps or even 
frameworks) are for the most part irreversible"

I understand this isn't written black-on-white that you can't deprecate a 
fundamental language behavior.  But it's clear that "having to win a 2/3 vote" 
isn't quite the definition of "irreversible".  The idea behind the 2/3 
requirement (a number that I came up with) was to ensure that the motivation to 
undo that addition/change will likely remain very low in the years following 
the vote on the RFC.  Why?  Because once it's in - it's in.  It cannot be taken 
out.  It's irreversible. 

So no, a 2/3 vote does not get us the mandate to deprecate a fundamental 
language behavior.  It's basically a reasonably high bar to add something to 
the language - given that we know that once we add it, we cannot take it away.  
Nothing more, nothing less.

Zeev

--
PHP Internals - PHP Runtime Development Mailing List
To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php

Reply via email to