Phan is a static analysis tool for PHP designed to identify and fix potential issues in code before it is executed. It analyzes PHP code for type errors, logic mistakes, and possible runtime issues. Phan is particularly useful for handling type safety in PHP, especially with the introduction of strict types in newer PHP versions.
Here are some of Phan's main features:
- Type Checking: Phan checks PHP code for type errors, ensuring that variables, functions, and return values match their expected types.
- Undefined Methods and Functions Detection: Phan ensures that called methods, functions, or classes are actually defined, avoiding runtime errors.
- Dead Code Detection: It identifies unused or unnecessary code, which can be removed to improve code readability and maintainability.
- PHPDoc Support: Phan uses PHPDoc comments to provide additional type information and checks if the documentation matches the actual code.
- Compatibility Checks: It checks whether the code is compatible with different PHP versions, helping with upgrades to newer versions of PHP.
- Custom Plugins: Phan supports custom plugins, allowing developers to implement specific checks or requirements for their projects.
Phan is a lightweight tool that integrates well into development workflows and helps catch common PHP code issues early. It is particularly suited for projects that prioritize type safety and code quality.
