php84-release-schedule-and-features

What’s New in PHP 8.4

Faisal Ahmed
Faisal Ahmed 29 Nov 2024

PHP 8.4, the latest iteration of the popular server-side scripting language, introduces several powerful features aimed at improving developer experience, code readability, and performance. Below are some of the key highlights:

1. Asymmetric Visibility

PHP 8.4 allows properties to have different visibility levels for reading and writing. For instance, a property can be public when read but private when written, enabling stricter control over class data.

class Coffee {
    public private(set) string $flavor = 'Latte';
}

$coffee = new Coffee();
echo $coffee->flavor;  // Works
$coffee->flavor = 'Espresso'; // Error

2. Simplified Object Instantiation

The new operator no longer requires parentheses when chaining methods, enhancing code readability:

// Old way
$object = (new ClassName())->method();

// New way
$object = new ClassName()->method();

3. Enhanced Array Handling

New array utility functions simplify common operations:

  • array_find() retrieves the first element matching a condition.

  • array_find_key() returns the key of the first matching element.

  • array_all() checks if all elements match a condition.

  • array_any() checks if at least one element matches a condition.

4. HTML5 Parsing with DomHTMLDocument

A new DomHTMLDocument class supports parsing and managing HTML5 content more effectively, recognizing semantic elements like <article> and <section>.

$html = '<p>PHP 8.4 is here!</p>';
$doc = DomHTMLDocument::createFromString($html);

5. Multibyte Trim Functions

String trimming functions (mb_trim(), mb_ltrim(), mb_rtrim()) now support multi-byte characters, making them ideal for handling diverse character sets.

6. Lazy Object Initialization

PHP 8.4 introduces lazy object creation, deferring initialization until the object is needed. This boosts performance in resource-heavy applications such as ORM and dependency injection systems.

7. Deprecation and Removals

PHP 8.4 deprecates non-cookie session tracking and implicit nullable types, pushing developers toward more modern and explicit coding practices.


Conclusion

PHP 8.4 continues to build on the language's evolution with a focus on cleaner syntax, better performance, and modern web standards. Its new features empower developers to write more efficient, maintainable, and readable code. Now is the time to explore and leverage these enhancements for your next project! Learn more

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