Regression: key() string-concat nested operand — returns true not key (ext/standard/array.c)

Problem

After next($array), key($array) must return the current key (e.g. int 1). When used as a nested operand inside string concatenation with var_export(..., true), the VM returns true instead of the key.

Standalone key($array) works; dot-concat form fails. Same failure class as #13811 (prev()).

php-src reference

ext/standard/array.c — php_key, zend_hash_get_current_key_ex

Repro (verified 2026-06-29)

test/repro/maintainer_gap_key_concat_operand.php

./script/docker-exec.sh -- php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_key_concat_operand.php

Check	Zend	VM
`'key='.var_export(key($a), true)` after `next($a)` on `[1,2,3]`	`key=1`	`key=true`
Direct `key($a)`	`1`	`1`

Scope (PHP-in-PHP first)

Layer	Path
VM	`ext/standard/key.php`, `ext/standard/VmArrayPointer.php`
Compiler	nested-call / concat operand lowering if mis-binding return type
JIT	`ext/standard/JitArrayPointer.php` after VM green

Done when (php-src-strict)

Repro exits 0 on VM
key() returns int|string|null in concat contexts
JIT/AOT agree when in scope

Verification

php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_key_concat_operand.php

Links

Epic Epic: Self-host critical path — compiler compiles itself (M3→M5) #1492 · sibling Regression: prev() string-concat nested operand — returns true not element (ext/standard/array.c) #13811 (prev())

claim: worker lane C — batch (issues #13829, #13811) — compiler var_export/array-pointer concat mis-bind (lib/Compiler.php)

Fix var_export(array pointer) concat mis-bind (#13829). (#13894)

Merged via #13894 — compiler var_export/array-pointer concat mis-bind fixed in lib/Compiler.php. Verification: php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_key_concat_operand.php → ok; compliance array_pointer_var_export_concat.phpt green.

Maintainer: repro script from issue body is now present under test/repro/ (verified VM fails / Zend passes 2026-06-30).

Add repro guards for array pointer builtins in string concat (#13828–#…

claim: PHP Compiler STD Lib Advanced — batch (issues #16269, #16254, #13829) — testVarExportNestedArrayPointerBuiltinUsesFuncCallProducerSlot fails (key=2 not key=1)

Fix var_dump multi-arg hoisted sibling producer misbind (#16254, #16269…

Merged in #16466.

Verification:

./vendor/bin/phpunit test/unit/VarDumpMultiargBuiltinMisbindTest.php
php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_var_dump_multiarg_builtin_misbind.php
php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_var_dump_multiarg_stream.php
./vendor/bin/phpunit test/unit/InlineCallArgProducerSlotTest.php --filter VarExportNestedArrayPointer
./vendor/bin/phpunit test/compliance/VMTest.php --filter array_pointer_var_export_concat

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Regression: key() string-concat nested operand — returns true not key (ext/standard/array.c) #13829

Category

Problem

php-src reference

Repro (verified 2026-06-29)

Scope (PHP-in-PHP first)

Done when (php-src-strict)

Verification

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Regression: key() string-concat nested operand — returns true not key (ext/standard/array.c) #13829

Description

Category

Problem

php-src reference

Repro (verified 2026-06-29)

Scope (PHP-in-PHP first)

Done when (php-src-strict)

Verification

Links

Activity

PurHur commented on Jun 30, 2026

PurHur commented on Jun 30, 2026

PurHur commented on Jun 30, 2026

PurHur commented on Jul 5, 2026

PurHur commented on Jul 5, 2026

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