# Conventions and Coding Style It is encouraged that you follow Kohana's coding style. This makes code more readable and allows for easier code sharing and contributing. ## Class Names and File Location Class names in Kohana follow a strict convention to facilitate [autoloading](autoloading). Class names should have uppercase first letters with underscores to separate words. Underscores are significant as they directly reflect the file location in the filesystem. The following conventions apply: 1. CamelCased class names should be used when it is undesirable to create a new directory level. 2. All class file names and directory names must match the case of the class as per [PSR-0](https://github.com/php-fig/fig-standards/blob/master/accepted/PSR-0.md). 3. All classes should be in the `classes` directory. This may be at any level in the [cascading filesystem](files). ### Examples {#class-name-examples} Remember that in a class, an underscore means a new directory. Consider the following examples: Class Name | File Path ----------------------|------------------------------- Controller_Template | classes/Controller/Template.php Model_User | classes/Model/User.php Model_BlogPost | classes/Model/BlogPost.php Database | classes/Database.php Database_Query | classes/Database/Query.php Form | classes/Form.php ## Coding Standards In order to produce highly consistent source code, we ask that everyone follow the coding standards as closely as possible. ### Brackets Please use [BSD/Allman Style](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indent_style#BSD.2FAllman_style) bracketing. #### Curly Brackets Curly brackets are placed on their own line, indented to the same level as the control statement. // Correct if ($a === $b) { ... } else { ... } // Incorrect if ($a === $b) { ... } else { ... } #### Class Brackets The only exception to the curly bracket rule is, the opening bracket of a class goes on the same line. // Correct class Foo { // Incorrect class Foo { #### Empty Brackets Don't put any characters inside empty brackets. // Correct class Foo {} // Incorrect class Foo { } #### Array Brackets Arrays may be single line or multi-line. array('a' => 'b', 'c' => 'd') array( 'a' => 'b', 'c' => 'd', ) ##### Opening Parenthesis The opening array parenthesis goes on the same line. // Correct array( ... ) // Incorrect: array ( ... ) ##### Closing parenthesis ###### Single Dimension The closing parenthesis of a multi-line single dimension array is placed on its own line, indented to the same level as the assignment or statement. // Correct $array = array( ... ) // Incorrect $array = array( ... ) ###### Multidimensional The nested array is indented one tab to the right, following the single dimension rules. // Correct array( 'arr' => array( ... ), 'arr' => array( ... ), ) array( 'arr' => array(...), 'arr' => array(...), ) ##### Arrays as Function Arguments // Correct do(array( ... )) // Incorrect do(array( ... )) As noted at the start of the array bracket section, single line syntax is also valid. // Correct do(array(...)) // Alternative for wrapping long lines do($bar, 'this is a very long line', array(...)); ### Naming Conventions Kohana uses under_score naming, not camelCase naming. #### Classes // Controller class, uses Controller_ prefix class Controller_Apple extends Controller { // Model class, uses Model_ prefix class Model_Cheese extends Model { // Regular class class Peanut { When creating an instance of a class, don't use parentheses if you're not passing something on to the constructor: // Correct: $db = new Database; // Incorrect: $db = new Database(); #### Functions and Methods Functions should be all lowercase, and use under_scores to separate words: function drink_beverage($beverage) { #### Variables All variables should be lowercase and use under_score, not camelCase: // Correct: $foo = 'bar'; $long_example = 'uses underscores'; // Incorrect: $weDontWantThis = 'understood?'; ### Indentation You must use tabs to indent your code. Using spaces for tabbing is strictly forbidden. Vertical spacing (for multi-line) is done with spaces. Tabs are not good for vertical alignment because different people have different tab widths. $text = 'this is a long text block that is wrapped. Normally, we aim for ' .'wrapping at 80 chars. Vertical alignment is very important for ' .'code readability. Remember that all indentation is done with tabs,' .'but vertical alignment should be completed with spaces, after ' .'indenting with tabs.'; ### String Concatenation Do not put spaces around the concatenation operator: // Correct: $str = 'one'.$var.'two'; // Incorrect: $str = 'one'. $var .'two'; $str = 'one' . $var . 'two'; ### Single Line Statements Single-line IF statements should only be used when breaking normal execution (e.g. return or continue): // Acceptable: if ($foo == $bar) return $foo; if ($foo == $bar) continue; if ($foo == $bar) break; if ($foo == $bar) throw new Exception('You screwed up!'); // Not acceptable: if ($baz == $bun) $baz = $bar + 2; ### Comparison Operations Please use OR and AND for comparison: // Correct: if (($foo AND $bar) OR ($b AND $c)) // Incorrect: if (($foo && $bar) || ($b && $c)) Please use elseif, not else if: // Correct: elseif ($bar) // Incorrect: else if($bar) ### Switch Structures Each case, break and default should be on a separate line. The block inside a case or default must be indented by 1 tab. switch ($var) { case 'bar': case 'foo': echo 'hello'; break; case 1: echo 'one'; break; default: echo 'bye'; break; } ### Parentheses There should be one space after statement name, followed by a parenthesis. The ! (bang) character must have a space on either side to ensure maximum readability. Except in the case of a bang or type casting, there should be no whitespace after an opening parenthesis or before a closing parenthesis. // Correct: if ($foo == $bar) if ( ! $foo) // Incorrect: if($foo == $bar) if(!$foo) if ((int) $foo) if ( $foo == $bar ) if (! $foo) ### Ternaries All ternary operations should follow a standard format. Use parentheses around expressions only, not around just variables. $foo = ($bar == $foo) ? $foo : $bar; $foo = $bar ? $foo : $bar; All comparisons and operations must be done inside of a parentheses group: $foo = ($bar > 5) ? ($bar + $foo) : strlen($bar); When separating complex ternaries (ternaries where the first part goes beyond ~80 chars) into multiple lines, spaces should be used to line up operators, which should be at the front of the successive lines: $foo = ($bar == $foo) ? $foo : $bar; ### Type Casting Type casting should be done with spaces on each side of the cast: // Correct: $foo = (string) $bar; if ( (string) $bar) // Incorrect: $foo = (string)$bar; When possible, please use type casting instead of ternary operations: // Correct: $foo = (bool) $bar; // Incorrect: $foo = ($bar == TRUE) ? TRUE : FALSE; When casting type to integer or boolean, use the short format: // Correct: $foo = (int) $bar; $foo = (bool) $bar; // Incorrect: $foo = (integer) $bar; $foo = (boolean) $bar; ### Constants Always use uppercase for constants: // Correct: define('MY_CONSTANT', 'my_value'); $a = TRUE; $b = NULL; // Incorrect: define('MyConstant', 'my_value'); $a = True; $b = null; Place constant comparisons at the end of tests: // Correct: if ($foo !== FALSE) // Incorrect: if (FALSE !== $foo) This is a slightly controversial choice, so I will explain the reasoning. If we were to write the previous example in plain English, the correct example would read: if variable $foo is not exactly FALSE And the incorrect example would read: if FALSE is not exactly variable $foo Since we are reading left to right, it simply doesn't make sense to put the constant first. ### Comments #### One-line Comments Use //, preferably above the line of code you're commenting on. Leave a space after it and start with a capital. Never use #. // Correct //Incorrect // incorrect # Incorrect ### Regular Expressions When coding regular expressions please use PCRE rather than the POSIX flavor. PCRE is considered more powerful and faster. // Correct: if (preg_match('/abc/i', $str)) // Incorrect: if (eregi('abc', $str)) Use single quotes around your regular expressions rather than double quotes. Single-quoted strings are more convenient because of their simplicity. Unlike double-quoted strings they don't support variable interpolation nor integrated backslash sequences like \n or \t, etc. // Correct: preg_match('/abc/', $str); // Incorrect: preg_match("/abc/", $str); When performing a regular expression search and replace, please use the $n notation for backreferences. This is preferred over \\n. // Correct: preg_replace('/(\d+) dollar/', '$1 euro', $str); // Incorrect: preg_replace('/(\d+) dollar/', '\\1 euro', $str); Finally, please note that the $ character for matching the position at the end of the line allows for a following newline character. Use the D modifier to fix this if needed. [More info](http://blog.php-security.org/archives/76-Holes-in-most-preg_match-filters.html). $str = "email@example.com\n"; preg_match('/^.+@.+$/', $str); // TRUE preg_match('/^.+@.+$/D', $str); // FALSE