Array variable shorthand proposal

Under discussion; proposed for PHP 8.7. The RFC page (version 1.4, dated 2026-10-03) specifies :$name in array construction and destructuring. It stands for the explicit key/value form "name" => $name and applies to [], array() and list(), including destructuring in foreach.

Only a single directly named variable (T_VARIABLE) qualifies; the key is its exact, case-sensitive name. Variable variables, array dimensions, object or static properties and arbitrary expressions are invalid, and so is the function-argument form foo(:$name). Whitespace and comments may appear between : and the variable. Existing keyed-element rules still apply: duplicate keys (the later element wins, including with spread), warnings for missing keys, and the bans on mixing list() with [] and keyed with unkeyed destructuring elements. Construction copies the value; [:&$name] is invalid, so a reference still needs 'name' => &$name. Destructuring with an ArrayAccess object reads offsets, not properties. The page says voting has not started. It links a draft implementation, php-src PR #24034, which was open and marked as a draft on 3 October.

Spelling history. Version 1.2 (2026-09-30) used =$name, after the original :$name was dropped because of possible confusion with ternary syntax. In an internals message on 2 October, the author announced a return to :$name. Version 1.4 adopts it, lists the equals-sign prefix as a rejected feature, and documents how ternaries are parsed. The conflict noted on 2 October is resolved on the RFC page. Until a vote, the spelling can still change in discussion.

This is a proposal, not supported stable PHP syntax. Recheck the primary RFC before repeating examples or status.

Related: IO hooks proposal, type declaration milestones.