Shorter functions

[Crell]

An alternate version of #6221 that uses fn instead of function. Same RFC.

[nunomaduro]

Hey @Crell, @sgolemon,

I would prefer this to stick with the version proposed #6221.

In my opinion, to have some visual consistency in the future of PHP shorter functions/methods, this would be the way to go:

• "=>" symbol for one-line return expressions.
• "fn" symbol for functions/methods that inherit scope (just like Auto-capturing multi-statement closures #6246).

Here are some examples I find interesting following what I've just proposed:

// Global or namespaced functions scopeless
function foo() {} // function
function foo() => /** */; // arrow function

// Global or namespaced functions with access to the parent scope
fn foo() {} // short function
fn foo() => /** */; // short arrow function

// Closures scopeless
$foo = function () {}; // closure
$foo = function () => /** */; // arrow closure

// Closures with access to the parent scope AKA https://github.com/php/php-src/pull/6246
$foo = fn() {}; // short closure
$foo = fn() => /** */; // short arrow closure

class Foo {
    // Methods scopeless
    function foo() {} // method
    function foo() => /** */; // arrow method

    // Methods with access to the parent scope
    fn foo() {} // short method
    fn foo() => /** */; // short arrow method
}

[Crell]

I don't even know what parent scope means for a method... 😄

Let's discuss this on the mailing list, not in disperate PRs.

[redbastie]

I don't even know what parent scope means for a method... 😄

Let's discuss this on the mailing list, not in disperate PRs.

He means that the function is scoped within the parent class so it wouldn't pollute the global namespace, but then again that wouldn't make any sense as you could just create a class method lol

This however, is the sexiest thing ever:

class Foo {
    fn bar() => /** */; // short arrow method
}