No error when using a not initialized message

[Nicien]

When using a get*() on a not initialized member of type 'message':
- message is ignored and NO error is throw during serialisation

// proto message:
message Foo {
required int32 a = 1;
}

message Container {
optional Foo foo = 1;
}

// php code:
$c = new Container();
$c->getFoo()->setA(0);
$c->serializeToString(); // no error, empty output. why ?

adding: $c->setFoo( new Foo() ); before calling getFoo() fix the problem...

I propose you to choose between two features:

• or an error message in getFoo(): "Please, initialize foo before using it"
• or, like c++ protocol buffer : automatically initialize messages when getFoo() is called for the first time (better)

The actual situation is disturbing.

[chobie]

Basically, getter method doesn't modify object. and it will return pseudo object when specified field does not initialized.

This specification is convenient for some kind of operation like below url. (I remember this spec came from c++ implementation.)
https://github.com/chobie/protoc-gen-php/blob/master/src/protocolbuffers/generator/php/FileGenerator.php#L36

$c->serializeToString(); // no error, empty output. why ?

foo field has optional attribute. getter method doesn't change current message so it will output null value.

could you use mutableFoo() method instead of getFoo() if you want to modify uninitialized child message?

<?php
require "autoload.php";

$c = new Container();
$c->mutableFoo()->setA(0);

var_dump($c->serializeToString());

The actual situation is disturbing.

Certainly. How do you think about this solution?

• throwing an exception when user calls setter method from pseudo message.

[Nicien]

Tanks for your answer.
mutableFoo() do exactly what i expected.

It follows the protocol buffer spec:

• "Note that you can call mutable_email() even if email is not already set; it will be initialized to an empty string automatically."
  Great :)
• "throwing an exception when user calls setter method from pseudo message"
  I like this solution because an error will be throw "soon enough". I mean before serialization.

I almost forgot: your library is great ! The only thing missing is a ready to use package, or a tutorial. This tutorial could explain in one page how to install php-protocolbuffers + protoc-gen-php + compozer + use composer.