Language: static::/self::/parent:: method call in function compiles — Zend Cannot use "static" when no class scope is active (Zend/zend_compile.c)

[PurHur]

Category

language · php-src-strict · compile-time fatal · self/parent/static (not #29096)

Problem

A function (no class scope) that contains static::foo(), self::foo(), or parent::foo() compiles and runs to accepted if the function is never called. Zend is a compile-time fatal even when f() is unused:

Cannot use "static" when no class scope is active (same for self / parent).

If f() is invoked, VM/JIT then throw a runtime Error (Cannot access "static" when no class scope is active). Zend never reaches runtime — the file does not compile. That is a silent-accept of an illegal program (rc=0 vs 255).

#29096 (closed) was eval at top level: runtime message wording (Cannot use … in the global scope vs Zend Cannot access …). Distinct: here the method-call form is not rejected at compile at all. static::class / self::class in a function already compile-abort on VM (wording still #29096-shaped).

Verified 2026-08-18 @ 3633ba3bb9 vs Zend 8.2.32.

Repro	Zend 8.2.32	VM / JIT
function f() { static::foo(); } echo "accepted";	Fatal Cannot use "static" when no class scope is active	accepted (rc=0)
function f() { self::foo(); } echo "accepted";	Fatal Cannot use "self" when no class scope is active	accepted (rc=0)
function f() { parent::foo(); } echo "accepted";	Fatal Cannot use "parent" when no class scope is active	accepted (rc=0)
function f() { echo static::class; } (control)	same Zend fatal	VM already compile-aborts (message: global scope)

php-src reference

• php/php-src Zend/zend_compile.c — zend_compile_class_ref() / ZEND_FETCH_CLASS_SELF|PARENT|STATIC with !CG(active_class_entry) → Cannot use "%s" when no class scope is active

PHP implementation target

• lib/Compiler.php compileStaticCallOpcodes() / class-ref lowering — if the fetch class is the self/parent/static keyword and there is no active class entry, throwCompileError with Zend’s Cannot use "…" when no class scope is active
• Reuse lib/Compiler/PseudoClassTypeHintCompileCheck.php message helper (messageFor()) which already has the Zend compile string (Language: static return type outside class — compile accepts, Zend parse fatal (Zend/zend_compile.c) #17480 type-hint path)
• Same compile path for JIT/AOT; no new runtime/*.c logic

Repro

./script/docker-exec.sh -- bash -lc 'php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_static_call_no_scope.php 2>&1 | head -5'
./script/docker-exec.sh -- bash -lc 'php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_self_call_no_scope.php 2>&1 | head -5'
./script/docker-exec.sh -- bash -lc 'php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_parent_call_no_scope.php 2>&1 | head -5'
./script/docker-exec.sh -- bash -lc 'php bin/jit.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_static_call_no_scope.php 2>&1 | head -5'

<?php
function f(): void {
    static::foo();
}
echo "accepted\n";

Done when

• VM and JIT compile-abort with Zend substring Cannot use "static" when no class scope is active (never print accepted); same for self and parent method-call forms
• Invoking f() is unnecessary — fatal is at compile, matching Zend
• static::class / self::class in a function still compile-abort (prefer Zend “no class scope is active” wording)
• Compliance .phpt guard under test/compliance/cases/language/
• php-src-strict; no php-compiler-strict shortcut

[PurHur]

claim: Worker lane B — starting this run

[PurHur]

merged: #32242 (b8c6d0394a)

Verification

• php bin/vm.php test/repro/maintainer_gap_static_call_no_scope.php → rc=255, Cannot use "static" when no class scope is active (same for self/parent; JIT static repro also rc=255). Never printed accepted.
• ./script/phpunit.sh --filter 'PseudoClassCallNoScope32227|PseudoClassStaticCallCompileFatalTest|PseudoClassGlobalScopeCompileTest' → OK (18 tests, 36 assertions)
• php script/bootstrap-inventory.php --check → OK 7590/7590

php-src-strict: compile fatal in named free functions via zend_ensure_valid_class_fetch_type() wording. File-level / closures unchanged (runtime inherit/rebind).