Clean code with consistent formatting is easier to read. Writing code in a consistent way is hard. That is why I’m a big fan of tools that automate this process.
PHP CodeSniffer
PHP_CodeSniffer provides an easy way to define a coding standard and report any violations. The best part is that it can solve many violations automatically.
In my experience, it is easiest to store your configuration in a ruleset xml file.
In this configuration file, you define a custom standard. You can start with a preconfigured standard, like PSR-12. Then you deviate from the standard by excluding or including specific rules.
Slevomat Coding Standard
Slevomat Coding Standard is not a tool in itself, but a big set of rules you can apply with PHP CodeSniffer.
You can, for example, automatically sort use statements. Or require trailing commas in multiline arrays.
Have a look at my CodeSniffer configuration file if you want some inspiration.
Rector
If you are looking for a tool to automatically refactor code, try out rectorphp/rector.
It is not strictly a code standard tool, but it can be used in much the same way. If have used it to apply new PHP 8.0 features to an entire project:
- promoted properties in all constructors;
- using
::classon objects instead ofget_class(); - using the new
str_starts_with()function.
Automation
Writing code according to your (team’s) standard can be hard. That is why I always automate these tasks.
To make life just a little easier I always have a custom composer script. With composer fix-style all code is scanned and fixed where possible.
On every PR I have a script that runs composer check-style that errors when wrongly formatted code is committed.