Colin ODell - PHP 7 Upgrade Guide

summarizes the addition of scalar type hints. This allows your function parameters to explicitly require scalar types like string, int, float, or bool.

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In we explore the brand new Spaceship Operator which drastically simplifies 3-way comparison of two expressions.

introduces another new operator, the Null Coalesce Operators. Its a lot like ?: but with a built-in isset() check.

demonstrates how to easily add Unicode characters to strings using a new \u{...} escape sequence.

reviews how anonymous classes can be used to create classes on-the-fly, which is particularly useful for mocking and implementing simple interfaces (like loggers and observers).

highlights the new ability to include multiple classes from a namespace with a single use statement.

introduces the new Closure:call method which drastically simplifies binding your closures to objects at call-time.

shows how generator can now return final values.

explores how generators can yield from arrays, iterators, and other generators (insert Xzibit yo dawg joke here).

In we see how PHP 7 drastically simplifies the process of generating strong random numbers for security-critical applications.

demonstrates how to safely and easily perform integer division.

unveils the new preg_replace_callback_array function for executing different callbacks per regular expression.

covers the new IntlChar class, which helps you work with Unicode characters.

shows how PHP 7 is dramatically faster than previous versions.

describes how syntax is more consistent and flexible.

explains how previously-reserved keywords can be used for property, constant, and method names. It contains a full list of such words.

walks through the new changes to engine errors and exceptions.

highlights the backwards-compatible improvements to the existing assert() feature.

touches on how define() now supports array constants.

demonstrates how to safely unserialize untrusted data by whitelisting which classes can be unserialized.

talks about configuring session options by passing them into session_start().

outlines the enhancements made to the Reflection API.

shows how some integer behavior has changed in PHP 7.

touches on division by zero, and how it works in the latest version of PHP.

covers the new JSON library used by PHP, including a couple minor changes it introduces.

demonstrates the inconsistencies in PHP 5s foreach loops and how its behavior differs from PHP 7.

describes some adjustments to the behavior of the list() construct.

explains some of the changes made to function parameter behavior.

unveils an old bug with custom session handlers and how PHP 7 resolves it.

briefly touches on octals and how PHP 7 handles invalid ones.

discusses the deprecation of PHP 4-style constructors.

covers why manual salt generation is now deprecated in the password hashing API.

lists all of the previously-deprecated functionality which has been fully removed from PHP 7.

talks about the removal of alternative PHP tags.

describes how several E_STRICT notices have been changed to other types.

shows how multiple default cases are no longer permitted within a switch block.

demonstrates PHP 5s inconsistent handling of hexadecimal strings and why that incomplete functionality was removed.

lists the SAPIs which are no longer supported or maintained.

briefly highlights the removal of that annoying timezone warning.

And finally, youll need to watch out for when migrating to PHP 7.