PHP 8.6 RFC: `__exists()`, a magic method for distinguishing "missing" from "set to null"

RFC Title	`__exists()`, a magic method for distinguishing "missing" from "set to null"
Change Type	New Feature
Target Version	PHP 8.6
Created on	2026-05-30
Last Updated on	2026-06-30
RFC Status	Declined

RFC Vote: `__exists()`, a magic method for distinguishing "missing" from "set to null"

2026-06-142026-06-28

Declined

Vote Period	2026-06-14 - 2026-06-28
Passing Threshold	>= 2/3
Vote Results	Yes: 2 No: 13 Abstain: 7

Subscribe to PHP.Watch newsletter for monthly updates

You will receive an email on last Wednesday of every month and on major PHP releases with new articles related to PHP, upcoming changes, new features and what's changing in the language. No marketing emails, no selling of your contacts, no click-tracking, and one-click instant unsubscribe from any email you receive.