PHP 7 introduces several new features including improved performance when working with objects, scalar type hinting, return type hinting, and an abstract syntax tree. It also includes a spaceship operator for comparison callbacks, a null coalescing operator for default values, Unicode codepoint escape syntax, support for array constants, simplified generator delegation with yield from, and anonymous classes.

1. Flying Under the Radar
The new features of PHP 7 that you
probably haven’t heard about

2. PHP 7
• Due for release in November 2015
• Major new Features/Enhancements
• Speed, particularly working with objects
• Scalar Type Hinting
• Return Type Hinting
• Abstract Syntax Tree

3. PHP 7 – Spaceship Operator (<=>)
• Officially called the Combined Comparison Operator
• Useful for comparison callbacks, e.g. usort()
$x = $a <=> $b;
Returns -1 if $a < $b
Returns 0 if $a == $b
Returns 1 if $a > $b

4. PHP 7 – Null Coalescence Operator (??)
• Variant of the Ternary Operator (?:)
• Useful for setting default values (eg. for undefined variables)
// PHP 5
$value = isset($value) ? $value : 'default';
// PHP 7
$value = $value ?? 'default';

5. PHP 7 – Unicode Codepoint Escape Syntax
• Allows direct injection of Unicode codepoints in text strings
echo "mau{00F1}ana"; // outputs mañana
echo "manu{0303}ana"; // outputs mañana
"n" with combining "~" character (Codepoint U+0303)
echo "u{1F602}"; // outputs 😂
echo "u{202E}Reversed text"; // outputs txet desreveR
Using Codepoint U+202E, RIGHT-TO-LEFT OVERRIDE

6. PHP 7 – Array Constants
• PHP 5.6 allowed constant definitions to contain basic operators
• PHP 7 has added support, allowing constant definitions to include arrays
define('ANIMALS', ['dog', 'cat', 'rabbit', 'aardvark']);
echo ANIMALS[1]; // outputs cat
• Class constants have allowed this since PHP 5.6.0

7. PHP 7 – Generator Delegation
• Simplifies “nested” Generators
• Simplifies the return of individual elements from any Iterable
// PHP 5.5
foreach(range(1, 5) as $value) {
yield $value
}
// PHP 7
yield from range(1, 5);

8. PHP 7 – Anonymous Classes
• Allow you to create a dynamic class instance, complete with properties and
methods
$instance = new class('Hello World') {
private $data;
public function __construct($data) {
$this->data = $data;
}
public function reverse() {
echo strrev($this->data);
}
};
$instance->reverse(); // outputs dlroW olleH

9. PHP 7