Present day usable solution:
Note that if you use an ide or an advanced editor, you could make a code template, or record a macro that inserts '->' when you press Ctrl and '.' or something.
Netbeans has macros, and I have recorded a macro for this, and I like it a lot :) (just click
the red circle toolbar button (start record macro),then type -> into
the editor (thats all
the macro will do, insert
the arrow into
the editor), then click
the gray square (stop record macro) and assign
the 'Ctrl dot' shortcut to it, or whatever shortcut you like)
The php plugin:
The php plugin, would also have to have a different string concatenation operator than
the dot. Maybe a double dot ? Yea... why not.
All it has to do is set an activation tag so that it doesnt replace / interpreter '.' as '->' for
old scripts and scripts that dont intent do use this.
Something like this: <php+ $obj.i = 5 ?> (notice
the modified '<?php' tag to '<?php+' )
This way it wouldnt break
old code. (and you can just add
the '<?php+' code template to your editor and then type 'php tab' (for netbeans) and it would insert '<?php+' )
With
the alternative syntax method you could even have
old and new syntax cohabitating on
the same page like this (I am illustrating this to show
the great compatibility of this method, not because you would want to do this):
<?php+ $obj.i = 5; ?>
<?php $obj->str = 'a' . 'b'; ?>
You could change
the tag to something more explanatory, in case somebody who doesnt know about
the plugin reads
the script and thinks its a syntax error
<?php-dot.com $obj.i = 5; ?>
This is easy because most editors have code templates, so its easy to assign a shortcut to it. And whoever doesnt want
the dot replacement, doesnt have to use it.
These are NOT ultimate solutions, they are ONLY examples to show that solutions exist, and that arguments against replacing '->' with '.' are only excuses. (Just admit you like
the arrow, its ok : )
With this potential method, nobody who doesnt want to use it would have to use it, and it wouldnt break
old code. And if other problems (ahem... excuses) arise, they could be fixed too.
So who can, and who will do such a thing ?
