Immutable read-only properties in PHP 8.1
Continuing with yesterday's data transfer object (DTO) example, something that can be done since PHP 8.1 is to make properties read-only:
class AccountDetails {
public function __construct(
public readonly string $accountNumber,
public readonly string $sortCode,
) {}
}
This means the public properties can be read and used without the need for getter methods, but cannot be overridden - making the DTO immutable.
Without readonly, a DTO can be created and the property values can be changed:
$accountDetails = new AccountDetails('12345678', '00-00-00');
$accountDetails->accountNumber = 'banana';
With readonly set, you'd get a fatal error instead:
Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Cannot modify readonly property AccountDetails::$accountNumber in /home/opdavies/tmp/example.php:13
- Oliver
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