Forem: PHPControls

Understanding Asymmetric Property Visibility in PHP 8.4

PHPControls — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:24:00 +0000

PHP 8.4, released in November 2024, introduces Asymmetric Property Visibility, which allows separate visibility levels for reading and writing class properties, enhancing access control while preserving encapsulation.

What is Asymmetric Property Visibility?

In PHP 8.4, you can now define different visibility levels for reading and writing a property within a class.

Previously, PHP allowed properties to be public, protected, or private, but both reading and writing had the same visibility level. With Asymmetric Property Visibility, you can set separate visibility for getting and setting a property.

A Basic Example

class User {
    public string $name { public get; private set; }

    public function __construct(string $name) {
        $this->name = $name; // Allowed: private setter is used inside the class
    }

    public function changeName(string $newName) {
        $this->name = $newName; // Allowed: inside class
    }
}

$user = new User("Alice");
echo $user->name; // ✅ Allowed: public getter
$user->name = "Bob"; // ❌ Error: Cannot modify, setter is private

Key Takeaways

get visibility is public, allowing read access from anywhere.
set visibility is private, so only class methods can modify the property.

Example 2: Preventing Direct Modification of Sensitive Properties

class BankAccount {
    public int $balance { public get; private set; }

    public function __construct(int $initialBalance) {
        $this->balance = $initialBalance;
    }
    public function deposit(int $amount) {
        $this->balance += $amount; // ✅ Allowed: inside class
    }
    public function withdraw(int $amount) {
        if ($amount > $this->balance) {
            throw new Exception("Insufficient funds");
        }
        $this->balance -= $amount; // ✅ Allowed: inside class
    }
}

$account = new BankAccount(1000);
echo $account->balance; // ✅ Allowed: public getter
$account->balance = 500; // ❌ Error: Cannot modify, setter is private

Key Takeaways

Prevents unauthorized modifications to $balance while allowing controlled updates through class methods.
Improves security by ensuring logic (e.g., preventing overdrafts) is always enforced.

Caveats & Considerations

This feature only applies to typed properties (int, string, array, etc.). Typed properties are supported since PHP 7.4.
You must specify a visibility level for both get and set (e.g., { public get; private set; }).
Asymmetric visibility cannot be applied to untyped properties.

How Was Asymmetric Property Visibility Achieved Before PHP 8.4?

Before Asymmetric Property Visibility, PHP only allowed single visibility for properties (public, protected, or private). This meant that if a property was readable, it was also writable unless additional methods were used to restrict modifications.

To achieve similar behavior, developers had to use getter and setter methods manually using Getter & Setter Methods (Manual Encapsulation)

For example:

class User {
    private string $name;

    public function __construct(string $name) {
        $this->name = $name;
    }

    // Public getter method
    public function getName(): string {
        return $this->name;
    }

    // Private setter method (prevents external modification)
    private function setName(string $name): void {
        $this->name = $name;
    }

    public function changeName(string $newName): void {
        $this->setName($newName); // Allowed inside class
    }
}

$user = new User("Alice");

echo $user->getName(); // ✅ Allowed: public getter\
$user->setName("Bob"); // ❌ Error: Cannot access private method\
$user->name = "Bob"; // ❌ Error: Cannot access private property

Problems with the Traditional Approach

More Boilerplate Code

Requires explicit getter and setter methods for each property.
Increases code duplication when dealing with many properties.

2. Less Readable & Natural Code

Instead of $user->name, you need to call $user->getName().
Assigning a value ($user->name = "Bob";) is replaced by a method ($user->changeName("Bob");).

Why Asymmetric Property Visibility Matters

Asymmetric Property Visibility in PHP 8.4 enhances encapsulation by allowing developers to set different visibility levels for reading and writing a property. This means a property can be publicly readable but privately writable, preventing unintended modifications while still making data accessible.

Previously, achieving this required workarounds like getter and setter methods, but now it can be done more cleanly and intuitively. This feature improves code maintainability, security, and clarity, making it easier to enforce strict control over property access without extra boilerplate.

Final Thoughts

Before PHP 8.4, getter and setter methods were the only way to enforce asymmetric visibility. While effective, it resulted in verbose and less readable code. With Asymmetric Property Visibility, PHP now provides native support for defining different access levels for reading and writing properties, making property management much cleaner and more intuitive.

About the Author

The author is a full-stack web developer who created SQL-based data analytics and BI reports tool - Querro at (querro.io).

Debugging PHP with VSCode and XDebug: A Step-by-Step Guide

PHPControls — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 20:10:41 +0000

Debugging is an essential part of PHP development, and using Visual Studio Code with XDebug can greatly enhance your workflow. This guide will walk you through setting up XDebug, enabling breakpoints, stepping through code, using stack traces, and troubleshooting common issues.

1. Installing XDebug

Before you can debug PHP with VSCode, you need to ensure that XDebug is installed on your system.

Check if XDebug is Installed

From a phpinfo page, and check wether XDebug section and it is enabled.

Install XDebug If It's Not Yet Installed

If XDebug is missing, you can install it using pecl:

pecl install xdebug

After installation, add this line to your php.ini file:

zend_extension=xdebug

Remember to restart your web server or PHP service:

sudo systemctl restart apache2  # For Apache
sudo systemctl restart php-fpm  # For PHP-FPM

Now we need to configure XDebug to connect to VSCode

2. Configuring XDebug for VSCode

Edit your php.ini file and add the following configuration:

[xdebug]
xdebug.mode=debug
xdebug.start_with_request=yes
xdebug.client_host=127.0.0.1
xdebug.client_port=9003
xdebug.log=/var/log/xdebug.log

Important:

Ensure your PHP service is restarted for any changes made in php.ini to take effect.

3. Setting Up VSCode for XDebug

1. Install the PHP Debug Extension

Open VSCode.
Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X).
Search for PHP Debug by Felix Becker and install it.

2. Configure VSCode Debugger

Open your project in VSCode.
Go to the Run and Debug panel (Ctrl+Shift+D).
Click on create a launch.json file. It should create default configuration as the following with port 9003. It is absolutely critical to have the same port as what is in xdebug.client_port in php.ini in previous step.

{
   "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": "Listen for XDebug",
            "type": "php",
            "request": "launch",
            "port": 9003
        },
        {
            "name": "Launch currently open script",
            "type": "php",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${file}",
            "cwd": "${fileDirname}",
            "port": 9003
        }
    ]
}

3. Start the Debugger

Click the green Start Debugging button or press F5.
Ensure XDebug is running and listening on port 9003. It actually can be any port number as 9003 is default.

The debugger bar should now appear right below tabs in VSCode.

4. Debugging Features

Setting Breakpoints

Open any PHP file.
Click in the left margin next to a line number or press F9 to set a breakpoint.
Run the debugger (F5) and execute the PHP script in your browser.
The script execution will pause at the breakpoint.

Stepping Through Code

While debugging, you can control execution using:

Step Over (F10) -- Move to the next line of code.
Step Into (F11) -- Enter into function calls.
Step Out (Shift+F11) -- Exit the current function.
Continue (F5) -- Resume execution until the next breakpoint.

Learn to Use Stack Trace

The Call Stack panel in VSCode shows the sequence of function calls leading up to the breakpoint.
Helps trace errors in deeply nested functions.
Click on any function in the stack to inspect its execution.

5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: Debugger Not Stopping at Breakpoints

Ensure XDebug is installed and configured correctly in phpinfo (See step 1)
Make sure the matching port (e.g. 9003) is set in both php.ini and launch.json.
Always restart Apache or PHP-FPM after making changes.

Issue 2: XDebug Not Connecting to VSCode

Verify the logs in /var/log/xdebug.log for connection issues.
Ensure VSCode is listening for XDebug (F5 in debug mode).
Disable other applications using port 9003 (like another debugger).

Issue 3: Path Mapping Problems

Ensure pathMappings in launch.json correctly maps the server path to the local workspace
Add $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] in your script to verify paths.

Conclusion

VSCode and XDebug together make debugging PHP a seamless experience. By following this guide, you should be able to install and configure XDebug properly, and set breakpoints and step through code, and also troubleshoot common debugging issues.

Finally, if manually tinkering isn't your thing, you can opt for a hassle-free solution like MAMP or XAMMP.

Happy debugging! 🚀

About the Author

The author is a full-stack web developer who created SQL-based data analytics and BI reports tool — Querro at querro.io

Simple Hack to Learn 2X Faster

PHPControls — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 21:10:30 +0000

While learning React, I couldn’t help but notice how slow the instructor spoke in the recorded lectures. It makes sense being intentionally slow to give time for students to think while absorbing the materials. But after a while, it started to feel like I was waiting for molasses to pour on a chilly day.

That’s when I discovered the magical speed-up button. Just like that, I was zipping through lectures at 2x speed. It’s like turning your study sessions into an action movie — everything’s faster, more intense, and oddly satisfying.

It turns out, this isn’t just a life hack — it’s backed by science! According to a Caltech study, the human brain is actually faster than our ears. “Multimodal learning” — fancy talk for combining audio and visuals — supercharges how much we can absorb. So, not only are you learning faster, but your brain is also giving you a virtual high-five for being efficient.

Why It Works

Our brains is capable to process and retain information much faster than the pace of normal speech. Increasing the playback speed while listening, it helps to

Increases Focus: The faster pace reduces the tendency to zone out.
Improves Comprehension: Your brain adapts to processing information more efficiently over time.
Saves Time: Completes a 2-hour lecture in just 1 hour, leaving room for review or practice.

How to Use the Hack Effectively

It does take some practice to get to 2x speed-listening. For me, 1.2x is a good comfortable starter pace; 1.5x is efficient and manageable for most content; and 2.0x requires focus but significantly speeds up learning. With time and practice, anyone can adapt and effectively process content at faster speeds.

I’ve also experimented with going beyond 2x, but it becomes overwhelming and impractical and causes “burn out”, so I don’t recommend.

Start Gradually

Don’t expect you will be zipping through materials like superman onset. Instead, try at 1.25x or 1.5x speed to get used to faster playback. Gradually increase to 2x speed as your brain adapts to processing quicker speech.

Leverage Closed Captions

This is super important as part of “multimodal learning” to engage our visual sensors to read subtitles to help with clarity, especially for technical or unfamiliar content.

3. Take Notes Strategically

Use digital tools like Notion or OneNote to jot down key points quickly. Online classes like Udemy and Coursea have note taking tools built-in with video timestamp.

Revisit Critical Sections

It’s perfectly fine to slow down and walk after a sprint, especially when revisiting difficult sections at a normal speed to ensure thorough understanding.

Free Tools for Enhanced Learning

Playback Speed Controllers:

Chrome Extensions:
Video Speed Controller: Allows fine-tuned speed adjustments on most video platforms.
Enhancer for YouTube: Adds playback speed shortcuts for YouTube.
Native Tools:
YouTube, Udemy, Coursera, and similar platforms often have built-in speed controls.

Note-Taking Apps:

Notion, Obsidian, or Evernote: Great for organizing notes with tags, links, and summaries.
AudioNote: Syncs audio or video with your notes.
ReClipped: Lets you save video highlights and make notes directly linked to timestamps.

Flashcard Tools:

Anki (spaced repetition): Use it to create cards from your notes for active recall.
Quizlet: Easier to set up and includes premade decks.

My Sample Routine for Learning with 2x Speed

I’ve developed an approach to studying at 2x speed that strikes a balance between efficiency and comprehension. My method combines strategic preparation, active note-taking, and consistent review, allowing me to absorb complex concepts quickly while ensuring a solid understanding.

Here’s how I’ve made it work for me and how it can work for you too.

Preparation (5 mins):

Review the syllabus or key concepts for the session.
Set a specific goal (e.g., “Understand how recursion works”).

Study (30–60 mins):

Watch the video at 1.2x — 2x speed, adjust accordingly
Pause to note down key points or rewatch unclear sections.

Review (15 mins):

Summarize what you learned.
Optional — Create flashcards or a mind map of the main ideas.

Practice (30+ mins):

Practice exercises or implement the learned concepts in real-world scenarios.

Final Thoughts

This simple hack can transform how you learn, making it faster, more efficient, and more engaging. Combine it with proven techniques like active recall and spaced repetition, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering new skills in no time. Try it out, and unlock your potential!

Why Naming Variables Can Distinguish a Good Programmer from a Bad One

PHPControls — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 04:04:11 +0000

While analyzing some old code from a previous project, I stumbled upon variable names that left me scratching my head. Here’s a snippet of what I found:

var type = 0;
...
var wfStart = "Server Workflow Start";
var num = 100000;
...
var yesOrNo = "Yes";

At first glance, these names seemed cryptic at best. After 25 minutes of piecing together the context (aided by poorly written comments), I finally understood what they meant.

What’s wrong here? To me, it seems the original developer rushed through the implementation, disregarding the importance of meaningful variable names. Instead, they left behind a confusing mess for anyone working on the code later.

Imagine the difference if the variables were given descriptive, self-explanatory names. Here’s an improved version:

var typeCode = 0;
const SERVER_WORKFLOW_START = "Server Workflow Start";
var maxLimit = 100000;
var isConfirmed = true;

These changes transform the code into something far more understandable. It reflects a clear understanding of the task at hand, good communication of intent.

The Importance of Clarity and Communication

Great variable names make it possible to read code almost like a narrative, reducing the need for excessive comments and helping others - and your future self - understand what's going on. Poorly named variables, however, add unnecessary confusion.

Consider this example:

int acctWithdrawn; // number of customers with withdrawn accounts
string ln; // last name of the current customer

These names require a reader to remember the comments or consult documentation to understand what's going on. With clearer names, this confusion disappears:

int  customerWidthdrawnAccount;
string customerLastName;

These improved names reveal the variables' purposes directly. Code, like any text, should be intuitive and readable.

If You Can't Name It, You Don't Understand It

If you struggle to name something, it's likely because you don't fully understand it yet. Naming variables often requires crystal-clear thinking about what the code is trying to accomplish, so unclear names often signal unclear ideas. If you find yourself reaching for vague terms, try asking, "What exactly is this variable representing?" This exercise helps you clarify your logic, which is beneficial not only for naming but for the overall structure of your code.

To help with this, try using a "descriptive placeholder" name, even if it's excessively long. For instance, instead of trying to name a counter vaguely, use something like numberOfActiveUsersWhereXisTrue. This will both clarify the variable's purpose for now and signal for future refactoring to find a concise, precise name as the code becomes more defined.

Here are two JavaScript code examples that demonstrate how to improve variable names for better readability and maintainability:

Example 1: Poor Variable Names

In this example, we have ambiguous and non-descriptive names, making it hard to follow the code's intent.

// Poor variable names
function calc(p, r) {
    let res = 0;
    for (let i = 0; i < r.length; i++) {
        res += r[i];
    }
    return res * (p/100);
}

let price = calc(100, [5, 10, 15]);

Explanation:

calc does not indicate what this function actually calculates.
p and r are not descriptive and don’t explain what values they represent.
res is unclear and doesn’t indicate that it’s the result of the sum of the array.

Improved Example: Good Variable Names

Let’s rename the variables for clarity so that anyone reading the code can understand its purpose at a glance.

// Improved variable names
function calculateTotalPrice(basePrice, discounts) {
    let totalDiscount = 0;
    for (let discount of discounts) {
        totalDiscount += discount;
    }
    return basePrice * (totalDiscount/100);
}

let totalPrice = calculateTotalPrice(100, [5, 10, 15]);

Explanation:

calculateTotalPrice clearly describes the purpose of the function.
basePrice and discounts specify what values are being passed in.
totalDiscount makes it clear that it’s the total sum of discounts from the array.

Example 2: Using Contextual Variable Names

Let’s look at a second example where the purpose of variables is unclear due to non-descriptive names.

// Poor variable names
function prsnData(d, a) {
    for (let v of a) {
        console.log(`${d}: ${v}`);
    }
}

let name = "Name";
let attributes = ["smart", "kind", "hardworking"];
prsnData(name, attributes);

Explanation:

prsnData is unclear—does it mean person data or print data?
d and a don’t describe the values they hold, making the function difficult to follow.

Improved Version:

// Improved variable names
function displayPersonAttributes(personName, attributes) {
    for (let attribute of attributes) {
        console.log(`${personName}: ${attribute}`);
    }
}

// Usage
let personName = "Name";
let attributes = ["smart", "kind", "hardworking"];
displayPersonAttributes(personName, attributes);

Explanation:

displayPersonAttributes is clear and communicates the function’s purpose.
personName and attributes indicate what each parameter represents, making the code easier to understand at a glance.

Using meaningful names greatly enhances readability and shows a careful, thoughtful approach to programming.

Characteristics of Good Variable Names

While good names vary by context, here are some principles to help make your naming conventions solid:

Be Descriptive but Concise: Names should convey purpose. For instance, instead of x, userAge is much clearer. At the same time, avoid overly long names that may become cumbersome. Strive for a balance where a variable name is as short as possible while still conveying its purpose. If you have trouble find a good variable name, use aforementioned "descriptive placeholder", and come back to it later.
Use Context: Variable names should fit the function or class they're in. For instance, a variable in a function handling order data might use orderTotal or customerID rather than something generic like data or num.
Follow Naming Conventions: Many languages have specific naming conventions (like camelCase in JavaScript and snake_case in Python). These conventions keep code style consistent and make it easier to read across different projects.
Avoid Cryptic Abbreviations: Shortening words can lead to confusion, especially if the abbreviation isn't universally recognized. A name like num may be clear enough, but cnt could confuse readers who don't know whether it stands for "count," "content," or something else.
Meaningful Prefixes and Suffixes: For certain data types or structures, adding a prefix can improve clarity. For example, use listOfUsers to indicate an array or list, or isEnabled to show that a variable is a boolean. These prefixes serve as quick cues about the variable's function and type.

Refactoring and Renaming When Necessary

As code evolves, so should variable names. It's common to start with one name and later realize it no longer reflects the variable's purpose accurately. If your variable's name no longer aligns with its function, take the time to rename it. Many modern IDEs such as VSCode support refactor->rename features, which make renaming painless across large codebases.

Naming as a Skill to Build Over Time

Variable naming is a skill that improves with practice and attention. Here are a few strategies to strengthen your naming skills:

Practice Mindfulness: When choosing a name, take a moment to consider how it reflects the variable's role in the code.
Review and Refine: As you revisit old code, critique your own variable names and improve them.
Ask for Feedback: Code reviews are invaluable for learning from other perspectives. Peers can offer insights into alternative names that may be clearer.

Naming variables may sound trivial, but it's one of the most telling signs of a programmer's skill and thoughtfulness. A programmer who takes time to name variables thoughtfully is often the one who approaches problems methodically, communicates clearly, and cares about long-term maintainability.

About the Author

The author is a veteran web developer who created the popular PHP datagrid tool (phpgrid.com), harnessing the power of CRUD to make the world a better place — at least for developers looking to simplify their lives!

Transform HTML Table into Card View Using Nothing But CSS

PHPControls — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 03:22:01 +0000

I’d like share a recent experiment that explores how to transform a plain, old-fashioned HTML table into a dynamic card view, going beyond the traditional rows and columns.

Start With a Simple HTML Table

Let’s begin with a simple HTML table such as the following.

    <table>  
      <thead>  
        <tr>  
          <th>Company</th>  
          <th>Contact</th>  
          <th>Country</th>  
        </tr>  
      </thead>  
      <tbody>  
      <tr>  
        <td>Alfreds Futterkiste</td>  
        <td>Maria Anders</td>  
        <td>Germany</td>  
      </tr>  
      <tr>  
        <td>Centro Moctezuma</td>  
        <td>Francisco Chang</td>  
        <td>Mexico</td>  
      </tr>    
      <tr>  
        <td>Alfreds </td>  
        <td>Maria </td>  
        <td>Germany</td>  
      </tr>  
      <tr>  
        <td>Centro  </td>  
        <td>Francisco Chang</td>  
        <td>Mexico</td>  
      </tr>  
      <tr>  
        <td>Alfreds </td>  
        <td>Maria </td>  
        <td>Germany</td>  
      </tr>  
      <tr>  
        <td>Centro comercial </td>  
        <td>Francisco </td>  
        <td>Mexico</td>  
      </tr>  
      <tr>  
        <td>Alfreds </td>  
        <td>Maria Anders</td>  
        <td>Germany</td>  
      </tr>  
      <tr>  
        <td>Centro comercial </td>  
        <td>Francisco </td>  
        <td>Mexico</td>  
      </tr>  
      </tbody>  
    </table>

It looks like this when rendered in browser.

Just another html table

Nothing fancy.

By definition, tables consist of rows and columns. How can we transform the traditional rows and columns layout into something more dynamic?

Discover the Power of CSS Grid

Tables don’t have to be boring. With a few simple CSS tricks, you can easily transform a traditional HTML table into a sleek list or card view.

The best part? No JavaScript, just pure CSS!

CSS grid has been an W3C Candidate Recommendation Draft since 2007, however, it has been adopted by the recent versions of all current major browsers.

CSS grid is designed for both rows and columns, making it ideal for complex layouts such as table. It allows you to manage both horizontal and vertical alignments simultaneously, which gives you much more control than Flexbox, which is primarily one-dimensional (row or column).

CSS Grid Properties to Use

Use CSS grid layou*t* for and .
Use CSS display property and set all to be block elements
With CSS grid properties, our plain HTML table already magically transforms into a responsive list view, displaying each record neatly in a single column.
```
    table tbody, table thead {  
      display: grid;  
    }  
    table td {  
      display: block;  
    }
```
It’s looking snazzy but a bit chaotic! Let’s sprinkle on some CSS borders to give each row in our list a little breathing room.
```
table, th, tr {  
  border: 1px solid black;  
}
```
There you go. Check out the new look! Not too shabby for a list view created without a single line of JavaScript magic!

Now we got a nice list made from an old-fashioned html table, how do we turn that nice list into a snazzy card view?

Spoiler alert: just sprinkle on a few more lines of CSS!

Transform List into Card View

Our final card trick to transform table into cards is to use CSS grid property grid-template-columns:
```
    table tbody {  
      display: grid;  
      grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);  
    }
```
grid-template-columns is a CSS property used in the CSS Grid layout to define the structure of the grid's columns. It specifies the number of columns, their widths, and how the space within the grid is divided.

With the repeat() function, the first parameter lets us decide how many columns we want—let’s say 4, because who doesn’t love a nice round number? The second parameter tells those columns how big to be—1fr, or one fraction of the available space. It’s like giving your columns a little pep talk: 'You all get an equal slice of the space pie!'

Our final card view

Take a moment to explore the code and see the results for yourself over on CodePen. It’s the perfect place to experiment and play around with CSS grid transformations. You may even discover some fun surprises along the way.

Keep in mind that CSS Grid is also responsive, providing developers with enhanced control over how layouts adjust and reflow across various screen sizes and devices.

Optional: Adding data-label to card view

While the card view is visually appealing, it lacks the clarity of column information, leaving users to guess the data represented in each card.

By incorporating a touch of JavaScript, we can seamlessly add data labels for each column, enhancing the association between the labels and their corresponding cells.
```
// Store each column header to array  
var labels = [];  
$('table').find('thead th').each(function() {  
    labels.push($(this).text());  
});  

// Add data-label attribute to each cell  
$('table).find('tbody tr').each(function() {  
    $(this).find('td').each(function(column) {  
        $(this).attr('data-label', labels[column]);  
    });  
});
```
The same code above using ES6 vanilla javascript without jQuery
```
// Store each column header to array
const labels = [];
document.querySelectorAll('table thead th').forEach(th => {
    labels.push(th.textContent);
});
// Add data-label attribute to each cell
document.querySelectorAll('table tbody tr').forEach(tr => {
    tr.querySelectorAll('td').forEach((td, column) => {
        td.setAttribute('data-label', labels[column]);
    });
});
```
It now looks like this

Demo

It’s nothing like the html table that we started with. With CSS Grid, the layout options are endless because it allows for full control over both rows and columns in a two-dimensional space.

Conclusion

This tutorial only scratches the surface of the iceberg. You can easily create more responsive layouts, overlap elements, span items across multiple rows or columns, and adjust grid areas dynamically, making it highly versatile for various layout needs.

Happy gridding!

About the Author

The author is a veteran web developer who created the popular PHP datagrid tool (phpgrid.com), harnessing the power of CRUD to make the world a better place — at least for developers looking to simplify their lives!

Forem: PHPControls

Understanding Asymmetric Property Visibility in PHP 8.4

What is Asymmetric Property Visibility?

A Basic Example

Key Takeaways

Example 2: Preventing Direct Modification of Sensitive Properties

Key Takeaways

Caveats & Considerations

How Was Asymmetric Property Visibility Achieved Before PHP 8.4?

Problems with the Traditional Approach

Why Asymmetric Property Visibility Matters

Final Thoughts

About the Author

Debugging PHP with VSCode and XDebug: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Installing XDebug

Check if XDebug is Installed

Install XDebug If It's Not Yet Installed

2. Configuring XDebug for VSCode

3. Setting Up VSCode for XDebug

1. Install the PHP Debug Extension

2. Configure VSCode Debugger

3. Start the Debugger

4. Debugging Features

Setting Breakpoints

Stepping Through Code

Learn to Use Stack Trace

5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: Debugger Not Stopping at Breakpoints

Issue 2: XDebug Not Connecting to VSCode

Issue 3: Path Mapping Problems

Conclusion

About the Author

Simple Hack to Learn 2X Faster

Why It Works

How to Use the Hack Effectively

Free Tools for Enhanced Learning

My Sample Routine for Learning with 2x Speed

Final Thoughts

Why Naming Variables Can Distinguish a Good Programmer from a Bad One

The Importance of Clarity and Communication

If You Can't Name It, You Don't Understand It

Example 1: Poor Variable Names

Improved Example: Good Variable Names

Example 2: Using Contextual Variable Names

Characteristics of Good Variable Names

Refactoring and Renaming When Necessary

Naming as a Skill to Build Over Time

About the Author

Transform HTML Table into Card View Using Nothing But CSS

Start With a Simple HTML Table

Discover the Power of CSS Grid

CSS Grid Properties to Use

Transform List into Card View

Our final card view

Optional: Adding data-label to card view

Conclusion

About the Author