each() & list() — Deprecated Iteration

TL;DR

Explanation

each($array) returned the current key-value pair and advanced the pointer — deprecated PHP 7.2, removed PHP 8. The while(list($k,$v)=each($arr)) idiom was a PHP 3/4 pattern for iteration. Modern replacement: foreach($arr as $k => $v). list() itself (PHP 5) and its short form [] (PHP 7.1) remain valid for array destructuring: [$a, $b] = [1, 2]. Rector auto-converts each() usage. Also removed in PHP 8: reset()/current()/next() in foreach-able contexts are still fine but each() is gone.

Common Misconception

Why It Matters

Common Mistakes

• Confusing list() removal (not removed) with each() removal (removed in PHP 8).
• Not running Rector to auto-migrate each() calls.
• Missing that reset() is still needed if starting from first element in non-foreach context.

Code Examples

// Removed in PHP 8:
reset($users);
while (list($key, $user) = each($users)) {
    echo $key . ': ' . $user['name'];
}

// Modern:
foreach ($users as $key => $user) {
    echo $key . ': ' . $user['name'];
}

// list() / [] still valid:
[$first, $second] = $coords;
list($name, $email) = $row;

References

• ↗ https://www.php.net/manual/en/function.each.php

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