Tag Archives: iife

PHP7 will continue to borrow some of the beloved JavaScript features and will support Immediately Invoked Function Expressions (IIFEs):

<?php

echo (function() {
    return 42;
})();

Output for php7@20140901 - 20141101:
42

Since we can already return functions from inside other functions, Currying Partial Application is also possible in combination with the IIFE implementation:

<?php

$foo = (function() {
    return function($a) {
        return $a + 42;
    };
})();

echo $foo(10);

Output for php7@20140901 - 20141101:
52

Note that when accessing an outer variable from within a function, one – unlike in JavaScript which has closures – needs to use the use keyword to make that variable accessible:

<?php

$foo = (function($a) {
    return function($b) use ($a) {
        return $a + $b;
    };
})(42);
echo $foo(10);

Output for php7@20140901 - 20141101:
52

/me is excited!

PHP7 IIFE Demo →
PHP7 Currying Demo →
PHP7 Currying Redux Demo →