Hi everyone,
I would like to propose a new type in PHP: Generic Collection Notation for Iterables (`array<T>`).
**The problem**
PHP provides several ways to represent sequences of values:
- `array`
- `iterable`
- `Traversable` implementations
- `generators`
While these constructs are fundamental to PHP, none of them allow the developer to express **what type of values they yield or contain** at the language level.
This leads to several issues:
- Static analysis relies heavily on PHPDoc annotations.
- Runtime type hints communicate structure but not intent.
- APIs lack self descriptive type information.
- Developers must duplicate type information across signatures and documentation.
**Example**
class UserService
{
/**
* @return User[]
*/
public function getAllUsers(): array
{
return [new User("Alice"), new User("Bob")];
}
/**
* @param User $user
* @param Role[] $roles
* @return void
*/
public function saveRoles($user, array $roles): void
{
// Some database call
}
}
**The proposal**
Introduce parameterized iterable types using generic like syntax:
`array<T>`
`iterable<T>`
`Traversable<T>`
`Generator<T>`
function processUsers(array<User> $users): void { }
function normalize(array<string> $values): array<string> { }
Optionally we could also extend the new array syntax with this functionality.
function processUsers(User[] $users): void { }
function normalize(string[] $values): string[] { }
Key points:
- The existing `array` type remains valid and unchanged.
- `array<T>` means an array whose elements are of type `T`.
- The syntax is currently invalid in PHP and therefore does not introduce a backward compatibility break.
**Example**
class UserService
{
public function getAllUsers(): array<User>
{
return [new User("Alice"), new User("Bob")];
}
public function saveRoles(User $user, array<Role> $roles): void
{
// Some database call
}
public function streamAllUsers(): Generator<User>
{
yield new User("Alice");
yield new User("Bob");
}
public function iterateAllUsers(): ArrayIterator<User>
{
return new ArrayIterator([new User("Alice"), new User("Bob")]);
}
public function getUserProvider(): Traversable<User>
{
return new ArrayIterator([new User("Alice"), new User("Bob")]);
}
public function normalizeNames(iterable<string> $names): iterable<string>
{
foreach ($names as $name) {
yield trim($name);
}
}
}
**Runtime semantics and enforcement**
The goal is that `array<T>` and related iterable parameterizations behave like other PHP types: if a value is passed or returned that violates the declared type, a `TypeError` is thrown.
The main question is when and how enforcement occurs for eager versus lazy containers.
- Checked on function argument receive, property assignment, and return.
- Each element value is validated against `T`.
There are two approaches, but only one gives strong runtime guarantees.
Preferred behavior:
- Validate on consumption when the iterable is iterated.
- If a yielded element violates `T`, throw `TypeError` at the point of iteration.
This mirrors the fact that `iterable` may be lazy and cannot be fully validated up front.
**Implementation**
I have basic C knowledge but I don't have much experience with Zend Engine / PHP Core. However I am fully committed to:
- Write and maintain the RFC document.
- Test and write tests for the implementation or draft
- Participate in discussions
- Collaborate with anyone willing to help with the implementation
**Keys and additional parameters**
This proposal focuses on element types. Keys are intentionally out of scope for the initial version.
Possible follow up work could explore `array<TKey, TValue>` and `Generator<TKey, TValue>`.
**Next steps**
- I would like to have hear any potential caveats. For example regarding lazy loading.
- If the RFC gains internal support, I will officially publish the first initial draft of the RFC.
- Whether supporting the shorthand `T` should be part of the initial scope or a follow up
- Whether supporting `TKey` should be part of the initial scope or a follow up
Kind regards,
Jordi Kroon