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name: php-language description: Apply core PHP language standards and modern 8.x features. Use when working with PHP 8.x features like enums, fibers, readonly properties, or named arguments. metadata: triggers: files: - '**/*.php' keywords: - declare - readonly - match - constructor - promotion - types

PHP Language Standards

Priority: P0 (CRITICAL)

Structure

src/
└── {Namespace}/
    └── {Class}.php

Implementation Guidelines

Core Language Standards

• Strict Typing: Declare declare(strict_types=1); at very top of every file.
• Type Hinting: Apply scalar type hints (e.g., string, int) and return types to all functions.
• Strict Comparison: Avoid loose == comparison; always use === for strict equality.

Modern PHP 8+ Patterns

• Match Expressions: Prefer match($status) over switch for value returns. It provides strict comparison and exhaustive by default.
• Default Case: Use default => throw new InvalidArgumentException($status) to handle unknown states.
• Read-only: Use public readonly string $name for properties set once at construction.
• Property Promotion: Use public function __construct(public string $name) {} to reduce boilerplate.
• Named Arguments: Call functions with name: 'John', age: 25 to skip optional parameters.
• Flexible Types: Use Union types (int|string) and Intersection types (Countable&Traversable).

Anti-Patterns

• No untyped functions: Declare return and parameter types always.
• No loose == comparison: Use === for strict equality.
• No switch for value mapping: Use match expressions instead.
• No global namespace logic: Organize in classes and namespaces.

References

• Modern PHP Patterns