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Doc Bug #31497 "Variable functions" term ambiguous
Submitted: 2005-01-11 21:34 UTC Modified: 2005-01-13 16:23 UTC
From: php dot devel at homelinkcs dot com Assigned:
Status: Closed Package: Documentation problem
PHP Version: Irrelevant OS: N/A
Private report: No CVE-ID: None
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 [2005-01-11 21:34 UTC] php dot devel at homelinkcs dot com
Description:
------------
Since it's a complex problem, I would like to stir       
up some discussion about the best way to solve the       
ambiguity of terms between "variable functions" (i.e. a       
function call in which the name of the function is       
contained in a varable:       
http://www.php.net/manual/en/functions.variable-functions.php)       
and "variable functions" (i.e. built-in functions for       
handling varables:       
http://www.php.net/manual/en/ref.var.php).  In my learning 
and use of PHP, I have repeatedly encountered this term in 
both senses, requiring me to seek clarification of its 
meaning in contexts that are ambiguous.  Therefore, I was 
wondering if it would be possible to change one of the 
terms.  My suggestion would be to change the second sense 
to "variable handling functions" or something of a similar 
nature.  Such a solution would preserve the analogue 
between "variable variables" and "variable functions" (in 
the first sense) and is also somewhat 
backwards-compatable.  But I would like to know what 
others think. 
 
Any thoughts, suggestions on this issue?  Anyone else had 
problems with it? 
 
If a conclusion can be reached, I'd be willing to do some, 
if not all, of the work to update the documentation. 


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 [2005-01-11 21:45 UTC] goba@php.net
I also had problems with the suggested meaning, that is behind the "variable functions" title, so it would be nice to fix, indeed.
 [2005-01-12 19:43 UTC] otseng at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a good suggestion.  

Using the term "variable handling functions" for functions that relate to variables would remove the ambiguity.

As for updating the documentations, looks like you also have a volunteer.
 [2005-01-13 16:17 UTC] php dot devel at homelinkcs dot com
It just occurred to me that the term "variable handling 
functions" would also create an analogue with "function 
handling 
functions" (http://us2.php.net/manual/en/ref.funchand.php)
 [2005-01-13 16:23 UTC] didou@php.net
Fully agreed! Fixed in CVS.

 [2020-02-07 06:11 UTC] phpdocbot@php.net
Automatic comment on behalf of didou
Revision: http://git.php.net/?p=doc/en.git;a=commit;h=ee74735fc0f981b2fb4a6a08b38305463d6f68e9
Log: Fix #31497: Change ref.var title to Variable Handling Functions
 
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