Bug #24687 - can't return non-variable by reference

Is this still open because it's possible that it might somehow be "fixed"? (though as comments note, it doesn't make any sense, and in any case, in php 5 the reference is unnecessary for the most common case of returning a new object) if the idea is to leave it to see how many votes it gets, that is understandable. otherwise, it would be helpful to close it as 'not a bug' so people will know they need to change code. now it's like game of chicken, all wait to see who blinks :) thx