Regression: str_contains()/str_starts_with()/str_ends_with() — Stringable object operands coerced, Zend TypeError (ext/standard/string.c) #14660

Category

stdlib · php-src-strict · regression

Problem

str_contains(), str_starts_with(), and str_ends_with() accept Stringable object operands on VM (via implicit __toString coercion) and return true. Zend PHP 8.2+ throws TypeError — these builtins use typed string parameters and do not coerce objects, even when __toString() is defined.

Distinct from #8825 (enum case operands) and from legacy builtins that still coerce __toString (see #14661 strcmp / #14662 str_replace family).

php-src reference

• php/php-src ext/standard/string.c — PHP_FUNCTION(str_contains) et al. (Z_PARAM_STR without object coerce path)
• php/php-src ext/standard/basic_functions.stub.php — typed string signatures (PHP 8+)

Repro

test/repro/maintainer_gap_str_contains_stringable_typeerror.php (also test/repro/maintainer_gap_str_contains_object_stringable.php):

php test/repro/maintainer_gap_str_contains_stringable_typeerror.php           # ok
php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_str_contains_stringable_typeerror.php # fail (coerces)

PHP implementation target

• ext/standard/ string search builtins — reject non-string operands with TypeError via shared VmString / TypeCheck guards (match strlen() / enum-case work in Stdlib: str_contains()/str_starts_with()/str_ends_with()/strcmp()/strcoll() — enum case operands must TypeError (ext/standard/string.c) #8825)
• JIT/AOT lowering must agree when in scope

Done when (php-src-strict)

• Stringable object haystack/needle throws TypeError with Zend-matching message shape
• Maintainer repro prints ok on VM
• Plain string behavior unchanged

Refs #8825, #4346, #1492