Runtime: $GLOBALS must preserve enum case objects — not backing scalars (Zend/zend_hash.c)

[PurHur]

Category

runtime — php-src-strict enum zval preservation in superglobals

Problem

Storing a backed enum case in $GLOBALS[...] (or assigning into the $GLOBALS array) materializes the backing scalar (int(1)) instead of keeping the enum case object. Zend preserves the enum zval.

Part of the enum-preservation cluster (#8746, #9342); distinct from compact() (#8686) and array helpers.

php-src reference

• Zend/zend_hash.c — hash table insert/append preserves object/enum zvals
• Zend/zend_enum.c — enum case zval type

Repro

./script/docker-exec.sh -- bash -lc 'source script/php-env.sh && php bin/vm.php -r '"'"'enum E:int{case A=1;} $GLOBALS["e"]=E::A; var_dump($GLOBALS["e"]);'"'"''

Zend:

enum(E::A)

This compiler (bin/vm.php):

int(1)

Scope (PHP-in-PHP)

• lib/VM.php — $GLOBALS write path / superglobal table insert
• lib/VM/Context.php — globals hashtable helpers
• lib/VM/EnumCaseSupport.php — ensure enum zvals are not scalarized on hash insert
• JIT/AOT globals refresh if separate LLVM path exists

Done when (php-src-strict)

• Repro prints enum(E::A) on VM (and JIT/AOT when globals touched in compiled code).
• Compliance guard test/compliance/cases/runtime/globals_enum_case.phpt (add) matches Zend.
• $_SERVER / other superglobals that accept enum values follow same preservation rule when in scope.

Related

#8746, #9342, #8686, closed #5547 enum preservation umbrella.

[PurHur]

Verified fixed on master (lane-B worker scan 2026-06-23): issue repro matches Zend under ./script/docker-exec.sh + php bin/vm.php. Closing stale open ticket.