1.2.842. No Self Referencing Constant

It is not possible to use a constant to define itself in a class. It yields a fatal error at runtime.

The PHP error reads : Cannot declare `self <https://www.php.net/manual/en/language.oop5.paamayim-nekudotayim.php>`_-referencing constant 'self\:\:C2'. Unlike PHP which is self-referencing, self referencing variables can’t have a value : just don’t use that. The code may access an already declared constant with self or with its class name. This error is not detected by linting. It is only detected at instantiation time : if the class is not used, it won’t appear.

<?php
    class a {
        const C1 = 1;         // fully defined constant
        const C2 = self::C2;  // self referencing constant
        const C3 = a::C3 + 2; // self referencing constant
    }
?>

1.2.842.1. Connex PHP features

1.2.842.1.1. Suggestions

  • Give a literal value to this constant

  • Give a constant value to this constant : other class constants or constant are allowed here.

1.2.842.1.2. Specs

Short name

Classes/NoSelfReferencingConstant

Rulesets

All, Analyze, Changed Behavior, Class Review, LintButWontExec

Exakat since

0.8.4

PHP Version

All

Severity

Minor

Time To Fix

Quick (30 mins)

Precision

Very high

Note

This issue may lint but will not run

Available in

Entreprise Edition, Exakat Cloud