PHP getting in over itself?

[Infizi]

Im starting to understand PHP5 finally, but i keep finding new functions that do the same thing as another function. Why have two methods?

Issues have been discussd here time and time again about PHPs multi methods, but its some of the smaller things that i really dont understand,

I mean, why have the array() function. ok, if you want to check if a variable is an array then yes, it is, but its got no data in it,

why use

$myarray = array("var" => "val", "again" => "var"),

when you could just go

$myarray['var'] = "val";
$myarray['again'] = "var";

really, try and create 3d, even 4d arrays using array() and your lost, try to edit one bit, no chance. its so much easier usiong $array['var']['3dvar'] = "cdval';!!!

its not just this, theres millions of stupid things appearing that no one ever uses in reality, PHP is just getting so advanced its rewriting itself....

[gavwvin]

There are lots of things in php where they've brought in a function that does the job of several functions together in a common use, just to make things easier... like the glob function... you could opendir, readdir for each one and preg_match each file to find a certain type, but the glob function puts that all together in one, for our convenience.

[Sorccu]

plain $myarray['var'] = "val"; should generate a notice in case you haven't declared $myarray as an array (atleast if it's not introduced at all). Also, I really disagree with you. It can be a LOT easier to use array().
You can do this:

$variable["key"]["another_key"]["yet_another_key"] = array(
    "name" => "Mike",
    "id" => 1,
    "email" => "moo@example.com"
); 

When using "your" method you'd have to do this:

$variable["key"]["another_key"]["yet_another_key"]["name"] = "Mike";
$variable["key"]["another_key"]["yet_another_key"]["id"] = 1;
$variable["key"]["another_key"]["yet_another_key"]["email"] = "moo@example.com"; 

And about multidimensional arrays: It's possible and not even hard. But yes, it is easier to write just $variable["key"]["another_key"]["yet_another_key"]["name"]. I can't disagree with that.

The methods can also be combined.

$a = array();
$a["key"] = "value"; 

I see nothing wrong with that piece of code.

its not just this, theres millions of stupid things appearing that no one ever uses in reality, PHP is just getting so advanced its rewriting itself....

Taking the short way usually generates notices, and one should never, I repeat, NEVER EVER ignore notices. It's ok if you develop just for yourself, but when it's about commercial/open source products.. It's a shame. It clearly shows that the developers have not been very careful when writing the code. I'd never buy a product that generates notices. Never. And register_globals... If I could, I'd take computers away from anyone using register_globals.

Sorry if this post seems a bit aggressive but I just.. Oh well. I guess I made it quite clear.

[Infizi]

lol,

well thats the idea to provoke discussion.

Its not just the array() function tho, theres quite a few others!!!

And, just to let you know all my scripts are carefully designed before i even turn on my PC, best way to code, PLAN, REPLAN, INNOVATE, MAKE, INNOVATE, REWRITE

[Sorccu]

Heh, I'm not blaming you because I've only seen like 4 lines of your code. I meant it all in a general way

[Infizi]

lol, no probs.

Heh, I'm not blaming you because I've only seen like 4 lines of your code. I meant it all in a general way