Array Declaration must be short array syntax

[mbniebergall]

Currently all of the PSR/PER code examples show using PHP short array syntax $thing = [];. PRs (ex: https://github.com/php-fig/per-coding-style/pull/18) also use short array syntax $arr = ['a' => 'A', 'b' => 'B', 'c' => 'C'];. There is no rule though requiring short array syntax.

The short array syntax was adopted for good reasons. According to the RFC:

• Good for framework development when dealing with long parameterlists
• Other web languages have similar syntax
• Readable

Scouring Github repositories, PHP short array syntax is very prevalent in popular PHP frameworks. Using the old syntax $thing = array(...); is relatively rare. Most occurrences are in old repositories or in conversion from old to short syntax tools.

Would creating a PR for adding a MUST use short array syntax section be welcomed?

[samdark]

I think that makes sense.

[mbniebergall]

PR opened for this https://github.com/php-fig/per-coding-style/pull/47

[mbniebergall]

After mulling over it and talking with others about arrays and their ambiguity within the coding styles, I created an alternative pull request https://github.com/php-fig/per-coding-style/pull/48 that is an either-or with https://github.com/php-fig/per-coding-style/pull/47.

PR 47 is smaller scoped and leaves some aspects not clarified. PR 48 clarifies the uses and declarations for arrays.

[vjik]

#48 is better. For arrays need several rules and use separate section it's OK for me.

[KorvinSzanto]

#48 has merged