[PHP-BUG] Req #79288 [NEW]: Allow string key array unpacking inside arrays with array_merge semantics

From:             caelan89 at gmail dot com
Operating system: n/a
PHP version:      7.4.2
Package:          PHP Language Specification
Bug Type:         Feature/Change Request
Bug description:Allow string key array unpacking inside arrays with array_merge semantics

Description:
------------
A wise person by the handle of "nikic" once said to me: "Pro tip: Don't
be a total dick in your bug reports, and you might get a more
information reply next time."

He is totally right. Don't be me. Don't go barging in with such an
arrogant and demeaning tone. It does a disservice to all parties
involved.

See: https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=79285&edit=2

Please, if you would accept my apology, I am eager to discuss this
feature:

---

You've added array unpacking inside of arrays. However, I feel that it
could benefit from an additional feature.

You do not allow this:

$a1 = [
  'test' => 1
];

$a2 = [
  'test-2' => 2
];

$a3 = [
  ...$a1,
  ...$a2
];

From my understanding, it would be semantically equivalent to:

$a3 = array_merge($a1, $a2);

Test script:
---------------
$a1 = [
  'test' => 1
];

$a2 = [
  'test-2' => 2
];

$a3 = [
  ...$a1,
  ...$a2
];


-- 
Edit bug report at https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=79288&edit=1
-- 
Fix committed:                    https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=fixed
Fixed in release:                 https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=alreadyfixed
Need backtrace:                   https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=needtrace
Need Reproduce Script:            https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=needscript
Try newer version:                https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=oldversion
Not developer issue:              https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=support
Expected behavior:                https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=notwrong
Not enough info:                  https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=notenoughinfo
Submitted twice:                  https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=submittedtwice
register_globals:                 https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=globals
PHP version support discontinued: https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=phptooold
Daylight Savings:                 https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=dst
IIS Stability:                    https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=isapi
Install GNU Sed:                  https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=gnused
Floating point limitations:       https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=float
No Zend Extensions:               https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=nozend
MySQL Configuration Error:        https://bugs.php.net/fix.php?id=79288&r=mysqlcfg