home / skills / pluginagentmarketplace / custom-plugin-php / php-fundamentals
This skill helps you master modern PHP fundamentals across syntax, OOP, and PHP 8.x features with practical, hands-on exercises.
npx playbooks add skill pluginagentmarketplace/custom-plugin-php --skill php-fundamentalsReview the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.
---
name: php-fundamentals
version: "2.0.0"
description: Modern PHP programming skill - master PHP 8.x syntax, OOP, type system, and Composer
sasmp_version: "1.3.0"
bonded_agent: 01-php-fundamentals
bond_type: PRIMARY_BOND
atomic: true
category: language-core
---
# PHP Fundamentals Skill
> Atomic skill for mastering modern PHP programming fundamentals
## Overview
This skill provides comprehensive training in modern PHP development, from basic syntax to advanced PHP 8.4 features. Designed for progressive learning with hands-on exercises.
## Skill Parameters
### Input Validation
```typescript
interface SkillParams {
topic:
| "syntax" // Variables, operators, control structures
| "oop" // Classes, interfaces, traits
| "type-system" // Type declarations, unions, intersections
| "php8-features" // Modern PHP 8.x features
| "composer" // Dependency management
| "standards"; // PSR compliance
level: "beginner" | "intermediate" | "advanced";
php_version?: "8.0" | "8.1" | "8.2" | "8.3" | "8.4";
output_format?: "tutorial" | "reference" | "exercises";
}
```
### Validation Rules
```yaml
validation:
topic:
required: true
allowed: [syntax, oop, type-system, php8-features, composer, standards]
level:
required: true
allowed: [beginner, intermediate, advanced]
php_version:
default: "8.3"
```
## Learning Modules
### Module 1: PHP Syntax Fundamentals
```yaml
topics:
- Variables and data types
- Operators and expressions
- Control structures (if, switch, match)
- Loops (for, foreach, while)
- Functions and closures
- Error handling basics
exercises:
- Build a calculator function
- Create array manipulation utilities
- Implement string processing functions
duration: 8-12 hours
prerequisites: none
```
### Module 2: Object-Oriented Programming
```yaml
topics:
- Classes and objects
- Properties and methods
- Inheritance and polymorphism
- Interfaces and abstract classes
- Traits and composition
- SOLID principles
exercises:
- Design a Shape hierarchy
- Implement Repository pattern
- Build a simple DI container
duration: 15-20 hours
prerequisites: [syntax]
```
### Module 3: PHP 8.x Modern Features
```yaml
topics:
php_8_0:
- Named arguments
- Constructor property promotion
- Match expressions
- Nullsafe operator
- Attributes
- Union types
php_8_1:
- Enums
- Readonly properties
- Fibers
- Intersection types
php_8_2:
- Readonly classes
- DNF types
php_8_3:
- Typed class constants
- json_validate()
- "#[Override]" attribute
php_8_4:
- Property hooks
- Asymmetric visibility
duration: 10-15 hours
```
## Execution Flow
```mermaid
graph TD
A[Skill Invoked] --> B{Valid Parameters?}
B -->|No| C[Return Validation Error]
B -->|Yes| D[Load Module Content]
D --> E{Level?}
E -->|Beginner| F[Basic Concepts + Examples]
E -->|Intermediate| G[Patterns + Exercises]
E -->|Advanced| H[Deep Dive + Best Practices]
F --> I[Generate Response]
G --> I
H --> I
```
## Error Handling & Retry Logic
### Error Categories
```yaml
errors:
INVALID_TOPIC:
code: "SKILL_001"
recovery: "Display available topics"
VERSION_MISMATCH:
code: "SKILL_002"
recovery: "Suggest minimum version or alternative"
```
### Retry Strategy
```yaml
retry:
max_attempts: 3
backoff:
type: exponential
initial_delay_ms: 100
max_delay_ms: 2000
multiplier: 2
```
## Logging & Observability
### Event Hooks
```yaml
hooks:
on_skill_start: [log_invocation, track_topic]
on_module_complete: [update_progress, award_badge]
on_error: [log_error, suggest_recovery]
on_skill_complete: [recommend_next_skill]
```
## Code Examples
### Beginner: Basic Syntax
```php
<?php
declare(strict_types=1);
// Variables and types
$name = 'PHP Developer';
$version = 8.3;
// Match expression (PHP 8.0+)
$status = match($code) {
200 => 'OK',
404 => 'Not Found',
default => 'Unknown',
};
```
### Intermediate: OOP Patterns
```php
<?php
declare(strict_types=1);
// Constructor property promotion (PHP 8.0+)
final readonly class User
{
public function __construct(
public int $id,
public string $email,
public string $name,
) {}
}
```
### Advanced: PHP 8.4 Features
```php
<?php
declare(strict_types=1);
// Property hooks (PHP 8.4+)
class Temperature
{
public float $celsius {
get => $this->celsius;
set => $value >= -273.15 ? $value : throw new \InvalidArgumentException();
}
public float $fahrenheit {
get => $this->celsius * 9/5 + 32;
set => $this->celsius = ($value - 32) * 5/9;
}
}
```
## Test Templates
```php
<?php
declare(strict_types=1);
use PHPUnit\Framework\TestCase;
use PHPUnit\Framework\Attributes\Test;
final class CalculatorTest extends TestCase
{
#[Test]
public function it_adds_two_numbers(): void
{
$calculator = new Calculator();
$this->assertSame(5, $calculator->add(2, 3));
}
}
```
## Troubleshooting
### Common Issues
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---------|-------|----------|
| Type errors | Strict types + wrong type | Check function signature, cast values |
| Autoloading failures | PSR-4 mismatch | Verify namespace, run composer dump-autoload |
| Deprecated features | Old PHP patterns | Update to modern syntax |
## Quality Metrics
| Metric | Target |
|--------|--------|
| Code example accuracy | 100% |
| PHP version correctness | 100% |
| PSR-12 compliance | 100% |
## Usage
```
Skill("php-fundamentals", {topic: "oop", level: "intermediate"})
```
This skill teaches modern PHP fundamentals, focused on PHP 8.x syntax, OOP, the typed system, and Composer-based workflows. It is structured for progressive learning with hands-on exercises, practical examples, and version-aware guidance. Use it to build reliable, maintainable PHP applications and to upgrade legacy code to modern PHP idioms.
Select a topic (syntax, oop, type-system, php8-features, composer, standards) and a level (beginner, intermediate, advanced). The skill loads targeted modules, returns concise explanations, code examples, and exercises appropriate to the chosen PHP version (default 8.3). It validates inputs, handles version mismatches with recommendations, and offers retryable operations for transient errors.
Which PHP version should I target?
Target the highest PHP version available in your deployment; the skill defaults to 8.3 and provides compatibility notes and fallback suggestions for lower versions.
Does the skill provide exercises and tests?
Yes. Each module includes practical exercises and PHPUnit test templates to validate implementations and reinforce learning.