1.2.1267. Unpreprocessed Values

Preprocessing values is the preparation of values before PHP executes the code.

There is no macro language in PHP, that prepares the code before compilation, bringing some comfort and short syntax. Most of the time, one uses PHP itself to preprocess data.

For example : could be written and avoid preprocessing the string into an array first.

Preprocessing could be done anytime the script includes all the needed values to process the expression.

This is a micro-optimisation, in particular when the expression is used once.

<?php
    $days_en = 'monday,tuesday,wednesday,thursday,friday,saturday,sunday';
    $days_zh = '星期－,星期二,星期三,星期四,星期五,星期六,星期日';

    $days = explode(',', $lang === 'en' ? $days_en : $days_zh);
?>

1.2.1267.1. Suggestions

  • Preprocess the values and hardcode them in PHP. Do not use PHP to calculate something at the last moment.

  • Use already processed values, or cache to avoid calculating the value each hit.

  • Create a class that export the data in the right format for every situation, including the developer’s comfort.

1.2.1267.2. Specs

Short name

Structures/Unpreprocessed

Rulesets

All, Analyze, Performances

Exakat since

0.8.4

PHP Version

All

Severity

Minor

Time To Fix

Instant (5 mins)

Precision

Very high

Features

preprocess, micro-optimisation

ClearPHP

always-preprocess

Examples

Zurmo, Piwigo

Available in

Entreprise Edition, Exakat Cloud