The lack of distinction between array vs hashtable isn't a big deal. Array as a map from integers to items works fine in practice. Even speaking of algorithm performance, it's fine for the uses you have on a web server. (Any other use of PHP is clearly insane. :) )

You speak like someone who hasn't worked much in PHP. When you do, a lot of quirks and flaws really bother you and slow down during everyday tasks, but the ones you mentioned aren't they.

> a lot of quirks and flaws really bother you and slow down during everyday tasks

Would you mind sharing a few that bother you? q

The fact that `false` isn't always false. Or that '0' or 0 or null are all 'false'.

There's a bunch more quirks in Zend Framework that I use every day that are much worse than all the rest of PHP though.

It occurred to me not long ago that hash tables are a general solution to indexing, and arrays are simply an optimization that you can apply when the proper constraints are in place. I'm happy to discover that it wasn't an original thought.

You can always use SPL for more strict datastructures (since 5.3): https://secure.php.net/manual/en/class.splfixedarray.php