(int) And (ant)¶

<?php

const INT = static function($x) {return  (int)$x * (int)$x;};
echo (int)(" 123s ");
// fatal error
// echo ((int))(" 123s ");

const ant = static function($x) {return  (int)$x * (int)$x;};
echo (ant)(" 123s ");
echo ((ant))(" 123s ");

It is possible to store a Closure in a constant, since PHP 8.5. This means that the closure has to be called by storing the constant in parenthesis: this way, PHP first extracts the value of the constant, then, calls the closure.

There is something else that is between parenthesis: a cast. And cast has a very high priority. So, when a int constant is created, it still calls the cast, and ignores the constant.

May be constants should not be called as casts?

See Also¶

Cast is so strong
Of int and ant [Try me]

PHP Error Messages¶

Constant expression contains invalid operations

PHP Features¶

Last updated: 14 July 2026