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Modern PHP Features
You're Probably Not Using
(But Should Be)
Paul Conroy / @conroyp
30th October, 2025
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From Dublin, Ireland
Started playing with the web 30+ years ago
(Notepad, Frontpage & Geocities!)
CTO at Square1
conroyp.com / @conroyp
Paul Conroy
๐ด
๐
๐ฎ๐ช
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Latest &
Greatest PHP
Features
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Latest &
Greatest PHP
Features
โ Bugfixes
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Latest &
Greatest PHP
Features
โ Bugfixes
โ Deadlines
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Latest &
Greatest PHP
Features
โ Bugfixes
โ Deadlines
โ The Day Job
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Latest &
Greatest PHP
Features
โ Bugfixes
โ Deadlines
โ The Day Job
โ Getting Paid!
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https://stitcher.io/blog/php-version-stats-june-2025
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https://stitcher.io/blog/php-version-stats-june-2025
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Weโre All Busy, and Habits Run Deep
โ Most developers learn a few ways to do things early in their
careers, and stick with them.
โ Weโre focused on shipping, fixing bugs, hitting deadlines.
โ Itโs easier (sometimes safer!) to copy a familiar pattern from
elsewhere in the codebase.
โ That consistency is good, but it can also keep us from taking
advantage of new language features.
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Strong & Stable Core
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๐ฑ
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๐ฑ
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What Exactly Is an Enum?
Enum == โEnumerated Typeโ
A special kind of class that:
โ Defines a fixed set of possible values.
โ Gives each value a name and (optionally) data.
โ Lets you compare, validate, and extend safely.
โ A type understood by PHP!
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๐ค โโโ
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๐ค โโโ
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Input Validation
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Input Validation
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โ Move the logic closer to what it represents.
โ Single place to check role-related logic.
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Enums: Cementing the Foundation
โ Replace fragile strings with structured, type-safe values.
โ Keep logic where it belongs - in the enum itself.
โ Validate input once, use confidently everywhere.
โ Generate labels and actions consistently.
โ Fewer bugs, less boilerplate, clearer intent.
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??
โ
โ Function starts out obvious.โจ
โ Params added over time - flags!โจ
โ Readability isnโt great.
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??
โ
โ Function starts out obvious.โจ
โ Params added over time - flags!โจ
โ Readability isnโt great.
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Named Arguments
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Named Arguments
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Named Arguments
โ Makes the code obvious.โจ
โ Refactor-safe.โจ
โ Impossible to misorder.โจ
โ Suitable for long parameter lists.
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// Donโt care about this!
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// Donโt care about this!
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โ Easy to accidentally mutate after
instantiation
โ No enforcement of immutability
โ Bugs creep in when state is
shared across layers
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Readonly properties
โ Properties are initialised once, in the constructor.
โ Whole class can be readonly.โจ
โ No reassignment allowed - even from inside the class.โจ
โ ๐จ๐จ Objects within readonly properties can still be mutated ๐จ๐จ โจ
(unless they are also immutable!)
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Readonly properties
โ Properties are initialised once, in the constructor.
โ Whole class can be readonly.โจ
โ No reassignment allowed - even from inside the class.โจ
โ ๐จ๐จ Objects within readonly properties can still be mutated ๐จ๐จ โจ
(unless they are also immutable!)
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The Robots will figure it outโฆ
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The Robots will figure it outโฆ
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The Robots will figure it outโฆ
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The Robots will figure it outโฆ
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The Robots will figure it outโฆ
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Strong & Stable Core
โ Data that behaves itself - predictable and self-describing.
โ Less duplication, fewer side effects.
โ Strong typing from start to finish.
โ Boilerplate replaced by intention.
โ Safer, cleaner, faster to read.
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Framing the Structure
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Switch it up
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Switch it up
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Switch it up
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Switch it up
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Switch it up
๐ต
๐ต
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Switch it up
๐ต
๐ต
๐ก
๐ก
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Switch it up
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๐ก
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โช
โช
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Switch it up
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Switch it up
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Match Expression
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Match Expression
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Match Expression
โ Closer to if/else functionality
โ No fallthrough
โ Strict comparisons (===)
โ Must return a value!
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(De)faulty switch
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(De)faulty switch
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(De)faulty switch
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(De)faulty switch
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(De)faulty switch
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(De)faulty switch โ default is easy to miss.
โ Silent failure in switch
case.
โ Very loud failure with match!
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Strongly typed
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Strongly typed
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Strongly typed
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Strongly typed
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โ Checking what condition
matches โtrueโโจ
โ First match wins!
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โ Checking what condition
matches โtrueโโจ
โ First match wins!
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FizzBuzz
https://www.php.net/manual/en/control-structures.match.php#125987
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FizzBuzz
https://www.php.net/manual/en/control-structures.match.php#125987
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Union Types
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Union Types
โ Comment isnโt a contract!
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Union Types
โ Comment isnโt a contract! โ Pass in precise types.
โ Not relying on docblocks.
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Intersection Types
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Intersection Types
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Intersection Types
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Intersection Types
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Intersection Types
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Intersection Types
โI donโt care what type is, but it needs to be able to do X and Yโ
Make function signatures honest about what you depend on!
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Framing the Structure
โ Replace fragile switch statements with clear, expressive match.
โ Build precision into contracts with union and intersection types.
โ Eliminate ambiguity - make every branch and type explicit.
โ Let PHPโs type system catch structural errors early
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Making It A Home
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Property Hooks
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Property Hooks
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Property Hooks
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Property Hooks โ Define get and set behavior inline with the
property itselfโจ
โ Removes need for verbose getters/settersโจ
โ Keeps logic close to where itโs used
โ Like computed properties in Swift/C#
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Property Hooks
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Property Hooks - Interfaces
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โ Pragmatic, not dogmatic.
โ Still uniquely PHP.
โ Evolves & matures by
learning.
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โ Pragmatic, not dogmatic.
โ Still uniquely PHP.
โ Evolves & matures by
learning.
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Pipe Operator
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Pipe Operator
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Pipe Operator
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Pipe Operator
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Arrays
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Arrays
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โ No syntax error
โ Wrong function is running
โ Silent failure!
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#[Override] Attribute
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#[Override] Attribute
๐จ Previously was a warning
โ Fatal error in 8.5
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#[Override] Attribute
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#[Override] Attribute
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#[Override] Attribute
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#[Override] Attribute
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#[Override] Attribute
Refactor-safe!
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https://stitcher.io/blog/php-version-stats-june-2025
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https://stitcher.io/blog/php-version-stats-june-2025
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https://stitcher.io/blog/php-version-stats-june-2025
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Symfony Polyfills
https://github.com/symfony/polyfill
โ Brings newer PHP functions and classes
to older versions.
โ Seamless drop-in: no code changes
needed in most cases.
โ A lifesaver when your prod still says โ7.4โ!
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Making It A Home
โ #[Override] turns quiet mistakes into loud ones.
โ New array helpers and pipelines make transformations flow naturally.
โ Property hooks remove boilerplate from everyday code.
โ Polyfills let you bring modern PHP to older runtimes.
โ Small upgrades, big quality-of-life wins for real projects!
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Build With Better Materials
โ Clearer intent
โ Safer defaults
โ Expressive data
โ Predictable behaviour
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Build With Better Materials
โ Clearer intent
โ Safer defaults
โ Expressive data
โ Predictable behaviour
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Build With Better Materials
โ Clearer intent
โ Safer defaults
โ Expressive data
โ Predictable behaviour
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Small Changes, Big Wins
Feature PHP
Version
Why It Matters Action
Enums 8.1 Replace string constants with real,
type-safe values
Use for statuses, roles,
categories
Readonly Properties /
Classes
8.2 Make data immutable & predictable Use for DTOs and value
objects
Promoted Constructor
Props
8.0 Remove repetitive property
assignments
Simplify data objects and
models
Named Arguments 8.0 Clearer, refactor-safe calls Use for constructors & config-
heavy APIs
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Small Changes, Big Wins
Feature PHP
Version
Why It Matters Action
Union & Intersection
Types
8.0 / 8.1 Replace PHPDoc guesses with true
contracts
Declare whatโs really allowed
Match Expressions 8.0 Eliminate fall-through & loose checks Replace switch statements
Property Hooks
(+ Interfaces)
8.4 Co-locate get/set logic with data
contracts
Replace verbose accessors
#[Override] Attribute 8.3 / 8.5 Turns silent override bugs into
compile-time errors
Add to subclass methods
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Small Changes, Big Wins
Feature PHP
Version
Why It Matters Action
Pipe Operator (>) 8.5 Read transformations left to right Streamline code appearance
Array Helpers 8.4 / 8.5 Expressive collection operations Use array_first(), array_last(),
array_find(), array_any()
Symfony Polyfills All Back-port modern features to older
runtimes
Add for legacy projects (7.4
โ 8.x)
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How to Start Modernising Your Code Today
โ Start small - replace constants with enums in new code.
โ Use readonly for DTOs and value objects you donโt want to mutate.
โ Add #[Override] gradually - catch hidden inheritance bugs early.
โ Refactor conditionals with match expressions for cleaner intent.
โ Try the pipe operator and array helpers where transformations stack.
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Enjoy a better
app, and an
easier life!
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