> On Sep 13, 2019, at 3:18 AM, Rasmus Schultz <ras...@mindplay.dk
> <mailto:ras...@mindplay.dk>> wrote:
>
> Assuming the fields of this entity are required, you would probably prefer
> to add a constructor - but then property initializers aren't really useful
> anymore.
I think this is a false dichotomy; I can see benefit to having initializers in
addition to constructors, even for the same classes.
However, Object Initializers might be best when paired with a new magic method
which let us call __init(), and a required modifier for properties.
Using your Customer example, the __init() would be automatically called after
__construct():
class Customer
{
private string $name = '';
required protected ?string $email = null;
public function __construct(string $name, ?string $email = null)
{
$this->name = $name;
$this->email = $email;
}
public function __init()
{
$this->name = ucwords($this->name);
$this->email = sanitize_email($this->email);
}
}
With __init() a developer could separate capturing construct parameters from
initializing required fields, but the required modifier would allow developers
to indicate which properties should be required.
And it might even make sense to throw an error if an object initializer does
not have an __init() method. Requiring __init() would ensure that classes not
designed to work with initializers would never be initialized without required
fields set.
When creating an object using object initialization I think it should just
bypass and only call __init(). PHP could generate an error if any required
fields are not set.
$customer = new Customer{
name => 'mike schinkel',
email => 'm...@newclarity.net <mailto:m...@newclarity.net>'
}
echo $customer->name; // Prints "Mike Schinkel"
Actually, a required modifier would not be required to implement object
initializers (no pun intended) but it would enable IDEs, PHP and other tools
validate whether or not a required fields has been set.
As an aside, it would be interesting if there were a __validate() magic method
although it might harm performance too much. OTOH, it should not harm
performance unless you actually use it:
public function __validate(string $field):bool
{
switch ($field) {
case 'name':
return !empty( $this->name ) && strlen($this->name) >= 3;
case 'email':
return validate_email($this->email);
}
return true;
}
> a desire to use this language feature will drive architecture. ... this will
> provide the wrong kind of motivation to make what are, effectively,
> architectural decisions.
The reason I badly want object initializers is to empower architectures that
currently are not possible in PHP. So I see this as a positive.
I see architectures used in other languages that reduce tedium and enhance
reusability that we cannot implement in PHP because of lack of an object
initializer.
But maybe I do not realize what you are seeing? Can you please elaborate on
the architectures you fear will emerge, ideally with examples and reasons why
they should be avoided?
-Mike
