Why so many built-in functions for PHP?

[DestyNova]

gregc, I am C++ programmer too, there are lots of similiars in C/C++ and PHP. It is good and nice language for everyone who wants to learn C or C++ but have hard time to learn usually will learn better if they try PHP before C or C++. That is a major positive in that.

As for Perl, it is ..decent language but I found it odd compare to C or PHP. IMHO anyway. http://www.bbspot.com/News/2001/03/perl_test.html .. I wonder about Perl itself sometimes.

[Cyborg from DH]

I think one reason for a lot of the built-in functions is to keep the speed up, because it is faster for PHP to run the function in C than it is to interpret all of your code to run the function for you.

[Chaos_Theory]

You have quite a goal, i suggest learning a little of everything at first. then broaden your horizen to more advanced aspects of each programing language.

[CeleronXT]

Having all of the functions built in generally allows you to "code for PHP" and you're basically guaranteed everything will work on almost all installations of PHP.

As opposed to something like perl where there's countless modlues, you actually "code for Perl with modlues a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, and j installed" where your end users may have to download and install extra modules for it to function properly.

[version2]

Its the perl/php wars! w00t!

[Michael]

I think one reason for a lot of the built-in functions is to keep the speed up, because it is faster for PHP to run the function in C than it is to interpret all of your code to run the function for you.

You are actually spot on here. C++ allows you to use pointers etc which allow you to design abstract data types such as trees. For things such as searching in C++ you can setup a binary search tree and search using logarithmic efficiency.

I haven't used PHP for a while, but from memory you can't use pointers which are needed to do things such as linked-lists, binary trees, graphs etc. You are much better off using the built in functions then your own ones.

[version2]

I haven't used PHP for a while, but from memory you can't use pointers which are needed to do things such as linked-lists, binary trees, graphs etc.

PHP doesnt need this IMO. When you get into this arena then you have to start worrying about garbage collection, and protection of memory. PHP is pretty robust and can do what it is designed to do. And yes, I am a big C/C++ fan.