Nullable Types in PHP7: Understanding the Question Marks
PHP7 introduced the concept of nullable types, signified by the question mark (?) before a type declaration (?string, ?int). These types allow for a value to be either the specified type or null.
Parameters
When marking a parameter as nullable, it means that the function can accept either the specified type or null as an argument. For example:
public function (?string $parameter1, string $parameter2) {}
In this case, the function can receive either a string or null for $parameter1, but $parameter2 must be a string.
Return Type
Nullable types can also be used for return values. This indicates that the function can return either the specified type or null. For instance:
function error_func(): int { return null; // Invalid in PHP7.1+ } function valid_func(): ?int { return null; // Valid in PHP7.1+ }
Property Type (PHP7.4 )
PHP7.4 introduced nullable types for property declarations. This allows a property to be either the specified type or null.
Nullable Union Types (PHP8 )
In PHP8, nullable types are shorthand for the union of the specified type and null. For example:
private ?object $bar = null; // PHP7.1+ private object|null $baz = null; // PHP8+
Error Handling
In PHP7.0 and earlier, using the question mark before a type declaration will result in a syntax error. PHP7.1 versions will accept nullable types.
References
- [Nullable Types](https://www.php.net/manual/en/language.types.declarations.php#language.types.declarations.nullable)
- [Class Properties Type Declarations](https://www.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.properties.php#language.oop5.properties.declare)
- [Nullable Union Type](https://wiki.php.net/rfc/union_types_v2)
The above is the detailed content of How Do Nullable Types Work in PHP7 and Beyond?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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