PHP 7 – Scalar Type Declarations

Scalar type declarations is one of the top feature added to PHP 7. There has been a big debate regarding correct way to use type declarations.

What is scalar type declaration in PHP 7?

Scalar type declarations means a function will accept arguments (parameters) or return values only of the given scalar data types.

How to declare Scalar type ?

To declare a scalar type declaration, you have to put scalar data type before the parameter name.

function Sum(int $a, int$b)
{
return $a + $b;
}

In the above example, PHP 7 interpreter will check first if $a and $b variables are integers. If $a and $b are integers then function will be called otherwise PHP 7 interpreter will generate a special type of TypeError exception.

Scalar type declaration has two options –

1. Coercive – By default coercive mode is enabled. So, need not to be specify.
2. Strict – Strict mode throws type error when the type doesn’t match.

Example of Coercive Mode

<?php

   // Coercive mode
   function mySum(int ...$ints) {
      return array_sum($ints);
   }
   print(mySum(1, '2', 3.2));

//Output: 6

Example of Strict Mode

<?php

//Strict mode
declare(strict_types=1);

function mySum(int ...$ints) {
    return array_sum($ints);
}

print(sum(4, 5, '2', 2.1));

//Output: Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function sum()....