Hi there, The single most annoying feature about PHP I find is that there are no optional types for variables. Otherwise, I think PHP is great: great community, lots of code and contributors etc. Just out of curiosity, do you think it would be possible and feasible to design a Typed PHP similar to TypeScript in JavaScript? So, a super set of PHP that is optionally typed and can be compiled/transpiled to normal PHP? I think this should be quite possible and possibly a great addition to the language. It would need to not break the current syntax but provide better tooling in IDEs and editors. Someone has already had a similar idea: https://github.com/krakjoe/strict However, I would propose a technology that transpiles to "normal" PHP. The types would be solely there for better tooling support and YES, better auto complete! An extension wouldn't be required. Typed PHP would just be a super set of normal PHP and all existing code could be re-used just like in Type Script. You could also have .d.tphp files, similar to TS and annotate existing libraries for better auto complete. I have come across Type Script not so long ago and it is really good in my opinion. People can still develop in the not strictly typed language while others more inclined to use strict types can use them but do not have to. Similar to TS you could have .tphp files that compile to readable .php files without having to re-engineer PHP or write extensions. The benefits should be obvious: Maximum code re-usability while providing better code maintenance and tooling. I think the exact syntax can be discussed and should be to not break anything while having a terse syntax, that is readable and writable. I could propose some syntax ideas that would be similar to TS syntax, but wanted to put the idea out there first. Maybe you will say this is absolutely crazy and cannot be done, but I challenge this belief. Kind regards, Tim
