simplecomplex/inspect

PHP and Javascript library for inspecting variables and stack traces.

4.0.0 2023-11-04 10:21 UTC

README

Get Inspect

// If dependency injection container exists.
$inspect = $container->get('inspect');
// Otherwise use maker.
$inspect = \SimpleComplex\Inspect\Inspect::getInstance();

Principal methods and options

(int) $options

depth: max object/array recursion; DEPTH_DEFAULT/TRACE_DEPTH_DEFAULT

(array) $options

  • (int) depth: max object/array recursion; DEPTH_DEFAULT/TRACE_DEPTH_DEFAULT
  • (int) limit: max trace frame; TRACE_LIMIT_DEFAULT
  • (int) code: error code, overrides exception code; none
  • (int) truncate: string truncation; TRUNCATE_DEFAULT
  • (arr) skip_keys: skip those object/array keys; none
  • (arr) needles: replace in strings; NEEDLES/NEEDLES_ESCAPE_HTML
  • (arr) replacers: replace in strings; REPLACERS/REPLACERS_ESCAPE_HTML
  • (bool) escape_html: replace in strings; ESCAPE_HTML
  • (int) output_max: replace in strings; OUTPUT_DEFAULT
  • (int) exectime_percent: replace in strings; EXEC_TIMEOUT_DEFAULT
  • (bool) rootdir_replace: replace root dir in strings; ROOT_DIR_REPLACE
  • (int) wrappers: number of wrapping functions/methods, to be hidden; zero

inspect($subject, $options = []): Inspector

Do variable inspection, unless arg $subject is a throwable; then trace.

$var = 'what is this?'; $xcptn = new \Exception('Doh');

// Inspect:
$inspect->inspect($var);
// Trace:
$inspect->inspect($xcptn);

variable($subject, $options = []): Inspector

Force variable inspection, even if subject is a throwable.

$inspect->variable($var);

trace($throwableOrNull, $options = []): Inspector

Trace exception or do back-trace.

// Trace exception:
$inspect->trace($xcptn);
// Do back-trace:
$inspect->trace(null);

Logging

The Inspector returned by inspect|variable|trace() is stringable. Pass it directly to a PSR logger:

$logger->debug('Darned ding' . "\n" . $inspect->variable($var));

Or use the Inspector's own chainable PSR logger-like method:

log($level = 'debug', $message = '', array $context = []): void

$inspect->variable($var)->log('debug', 'darned ding');

Javascript

(object) options

  • (string) message: content headline and options as string also interprets to message (except when 'protos'/'func_body')
  • (integer) depth: array|object recursion max (default 10, max 10)
  • (boolean) protos: analyze prototypal properties too
  • (boolean) func_body: print bodies of functions
  • (string) type: default 'inspect'/'inspect trace'
  • (string) severity: default 'debug'/'error'

To console:

window.inspect(u, options);
window.inspect.trace(er, options);

Description

Produces tidy and informative variable dumps and exception/back traces.
Tailormade and ready for logging - the inspect/variable/trace() methods return a stringable object.

Safe

The inspector and tracer guarantee not to fail. A simple PHP:var_dump() is prone to raise a PHP error if you dump a large or complex array like $GLOBALS, due to references (recursion).
Inspect limits it's recursion into sub arrays/objects. It also keeps track of how large an output it produces. And it finally makes sure that max execution time doesn't get exceeded.

Secure

Inspect hides the values of array/object buckets named 'pw', 'pass' and 'password'.
And values of other sensitives can be hidden using 'skip_keys' option.

PHP and Javascript

Inspect consists of a PHP library for serverside inspection and tracing, and a Javascript library for clientside ditto.
NB: The Javascript library has not been maintained since 2015.

Maturity

The library has existed in various forms since 2010. The core has been refined continuously whereas the wrapping has evolved from a rather oldschool OOP pattern over a solid but non-orthodox Drupal style, to well-behaved PSR/Composer patterns.

Used in - extended by - Drupal

The backbone of the Drupal Inspect module is SimpleComplex Inspect. The Drupal module (D7 as well as D8) extends Inspect to accomodate to the context - that is: uses Drupal's APIs and features when it makes sense.

MIT licensed

License and copyright. Explained.

Requirements

  • PHP >=8.1