How to Effectively Optimize Empty Variable Checks in PHP?

Optimizing Empty Variable Checks

When working with PHP, it's essential to validate and handle empty variables effectively. This ensures data integrity and prevents erroneous execution.

1. Is there a shorter way to assign NULL to empty variables?

Yes, you can use the null coalescing operator (??) to assign NULL to variables with a shorter syntax:

<code class="php">$user_id = $user_id ?? '-1';
$user_name = $user_name ?? NULL;
$user_logged = $user_logged ?? NULL;</code>

2. Is is_null the correct way to test for NULL?

Strictly speaking, yes. Comparing a variable to NULL using is_null() determines if the variable is explicitly assigned to NULL. However, for more flexible testing, consider using the identity operator (===) as it also checks for type equality.

3. Can I assign multiple variables to NULL in one line using an array?

No, you cannot directly assign multiple variables to NULL using an array. However, you can leverage the null coalescing operator (??) in combination with the spread operator (...) to achieve a similar effect:

<code class="php">[$user_id, $user_name, $user_logged] = [...array_map(fn() => NULL, [$user_id, $user_name, $user_logged])];</code>

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