PHP 7: Return Type Declarations - New Feature!

Learn about the new Return Type Declarations feature in PHP 7.0+!

Scalar Type Declarations: https://youtu.be/nLC2KDMFde0

New Feature: Return Type Declarations in PHP 7.0

Video on Argument Type Declarations: https://youtu.be/nLC2KDMFde0

- PHP 7 feature
- Return type declarations specify the type of the value that will be returned from a function.
- The same types are available for return type declarations as are available for argument type declarations.
- Strict typing also has an effect on return type declarations. In the default weak mode, returned values will be coerced to the correct type if they are not already of that type. In strong mode, the returned value must be of the correct type, otherwise a TypeError will be thrown.
- Return Types
Class/interface name The parameter must be an instanceof the given class or interface name.
self The parameter must be an instanceof the same class as the one the method is defined on. This can only be used on class and instance methods.
array The parameter must be an array.
callable The parameter must be a valid callable.
bool The parameter must be a boolean value.
float The parameter must be a floating point number.
int The parameter must be an integer.
string The parameter must be a string.
iterable The parameter must be either an array or an instanceof Traversable.

- When overriding a parent method, the child's method must match any return type declaration on the parent. If the parent doesn't define a return type, then the child method may do so.

More Info: https://secure.php.net/manual/en/migration70.new-features.ph #migration70.new-features.return-type-declarations