Why can't PHP have a constant object? -

i have key-value database table, store settings.

i have these settings in php constant object, since shouldn't editable.

in php7 can this:

define('mysettings', array(     'title' => 'my title'     // etc ));  // , call echo mysettings['title']; 

and works great.

but why can't do:

define('mysettings', (object) array('title' => 'my title')); 

so call instead:

echo mysettings->title; // or echo mysettings::title; 

this because think it's quicker , prettier type object property/constant ($obj->key, $obj::key), array ($array['key'])

is there reason not possible?

for php, objects mutable. since constants should never change @ runtime objects can, object-constants not supported.

in phpdoc constants, stated that:

when using const keyword, scalar data (boolean, integer, float , string) can contained in constants prior php 5.6. php 5.6 onwards, possible define constant scalar expression, , possible define array constant. possible define constants resource, should avoided, can cause unexpected results.

there inconsistency arrays though , no rational given why array constants allowed. (i argue bad call.) must noted array-constants immutable, hence trying change them results in fatal error showcased code php7:

<?php $anormalmutablearray = ['key' => 'original']; $anormalmutablearray['key'] = 'changed'; echo $anormalmutablearray['key'];  define(     'immutable_array',     [         'key' => 'original',     ] ); immutable_array['key'] = 'if array, change; if constant throw error'; echo immutable_array['key']; 

throwing:

php fatal error:  cannot use temporary expression in write context in ~/wtf.php on line 12 

why isn't possible define object constants similar error? 1 has ask power be.

i recommend staying away arrays , objects constants. rather create immutable objects or use immutable collections instead.

since looking syntax, there concept of class constants.

<?php class myclass {     const constant = 'constant value';      function showconstant() {         echo  self::constant . "\n";     } }  echo myclass::constant . "\n";  $classname = "myclass"; echo $classname::constant . "\n"; // of php 5.3.0  $class = new myclass(); $class->showconstant();  echo $class::constant."\n"; // of php 5.3.0 

it's possible define them in interfaces.