[wp-hackers] Discussion about Optional Closing PHP tags in the WordPress Library

[Jacob Santos]

You know, it is a really good thing that the discussion is a closed 
matter. The Coding Standards aren't up for debate, however, there are 
some issues I've come across, which I would like some input on how it 
can be addressed in the least amount of elitism as possible. Luckily, 
everyone here is educated enough to understand the debate, so it should 
be more about solutions than debating about something.

The first problem I've encountered is a Trac ticket, which questioned 
the lack of a closing PHP tag at the end of a file. It was handled 
pretty well. The coding standard states that all library files and PHP 
file have a closing PHP tag. Sort of like XHTML, you have a opening tag, 
then you have closing tag, even if it is optional (like HTML). So the 
tag was added, end of story.

Right, so the problem is this. If you leave the closing PHP tag out, 
then you have people informing you that you have a bug since PHP 
"requires" a closing PHP tag.

The second problem is in #7149, where you have the opposite problem. A 
new line is accidentally added to the end of a WordPress library file 
causing errors to occur in the execution. The solution is to remove the 
offending new lines and carry on with your merry day. However, so a 
"solution" came in, which really isn't a very good one. To avoid 
worrying about new lines creeping into files and causing issues, you 
could remove all of the closing PHP tags from those files (see problem #1).

I'm not sure if there is a proper channel for relaying PHP 
troubleshooting to users or if one should exist. The problem doesn't 
affect enough people to actually do anything code wise. If there isn't 
already, would a Common Troubleshooting page on the WordPress Codex for 
PHP errors that come up be helpful? You could just point them to that page?

Really, from the commonly quoted message on the subject, the conclusion 
translates to that it is better to have the closing PHP tag, so that 
those who don't know better don't get tripped up on the small stuff. 
Whether or not WordPress should have the closing PHP tag is not at issue 
here. How is this problem, when it occurs troubleshooted for users?

I'm not sure my response, "Learn PHP!" would be all that helpful and 
could come across as being an ass.

Thanks.

Jacob Santos