Question 1

How to rename all variables in a PHP file using PHP-Parser?

Accepted Answer

Use a NodeVisitor to traverse the AST and modify Expr_Variable nodes. The library's quick start shows how to traverse and change nodes, such as by cleaning function bodies, which can be adapted for variable renaming.

Question 2

PHP-Parser vs PHP-CS-Fixer: which is better for code refactoring?

Accepted Answer

PHP-Parser is a low-level library for custom analysis and manipulation, allowing fine-grained control. PHP-CS-Fixer is a pre-built tool for automated code style fixing. Choose PHP-Parser if you need custom transformations beyond formatting.

Question 3

Does PHP-Parser support PHP 8.3 attributes and enums?

Accepted Answer

Yes, version 5.x supports parsing PHP up to 8.4, including modern features like attributes and enums. It's designed for the newest supported versions, as noted in the documentation.

Question 4

How to handle syntax errors when parsing code with PHP-Parser?

Accepted Answer

PHP-Parser can parse invalid code into a partial AST using error recovery. Catch PhpParser\Error exceptions and use the partial AST for analysis where possible, as mentioned in the error handling component.

Question 5

Can I generate PHP code from scratch without parsing existing code?

Accepted Answer

Yes, use the AST builders provided by PHP-Parser to construct nodes programmatically. Then, convert the AST to code with the pretty printer, as shown in the code generation examples.

Question 6

What are best practices for improving PHP-Parser performance?

Accepted Answer

Disable Xdebug, reuse parser and traverser objects, and manage garbage collection. The performance documentation section provides specific tips to optimize resource usage.

PHP Parser

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