[RFC Idea] main() entry point for PHP

> > > On Fri, Jul 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM Kamil Tekiela <tekiela246@gmail.com> wrote: > >> >> >> On Fri, Jul 4, 2025, 16:50 fennic log <fenniclog@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> This is basically an idea I have for PHP to support a main entry point. >>> Where regardless of execution, if you run a PHP file, in CLI or Web >>> request. >>> If the file that is executed contains a main function, that is >>> automatically executed by the engine after any procedural code. >>> >>> Any procedural code in the file, and included files are executed before >>> main(). I made this decision because there would be cases where developers >>> want to set up a global scope and variables. >>> The main entry function MUST be within the executed file, any included >>> files which contain a main function are treated as user functions. >>> >>> main function signature: `function main(): int;` main must return an int >>> exit code. >>> >>> Example >>> ```php >>> echo "Before main"; >>> function main(): int >>> { >>> echo "Executed in main"; >>> return 0; >>> } >>> echo "After main"; >>> return 1; // This is ignored as main() exists and its return value is >>> the exit code. >>> ``` >>> >>> Expected output: >>> Before main >>> After main >>> Executed in main >>> PHP returns code 0 >>> >>> *Open questions.* >>> >>> *1.* Should we add a declare(main_entry_point=true); for it to be opt-in >>> *2.* Should main() take arguments? >>> *3.* Should the main() be context aware? eg `main(array $argv, int >>> $argc)` for the CLI SAPI. I'm not sure what it would be for CGI SAPI. >>> >> >> Why though? >> >> You are just saving seven keystrokes. >> >> main(); >> >> Besides, PHP already has main function so what you are proposing would be >> confusing. >> > > > fennic, you don't get the concept of the `main` function. Nothing will be > printed before nor after. Only what is inside it as a rule nothing else is > executed outside that scope. You will end up with "headers already sent" > and so on with that proposition. > > Kamil, you forgot to count the enter button for the new line... sheesh :) > > -- > Iliya Miroslavov Iliev > i.miroslavov@gmail.com >