


What is the difference between func_get_args() and a rest parameter ...$args in PHP 8?
Jul 12, 2025 am 03:05 AMThe main difference between func_get_args() and ...$args in PHP 8 is that func_get_args() is a legacy function offering less type safety, readability, and performance compared to the modern ...$args syntax which provides better type handling, explicit parameter declarations, and improved code clarity. 1. func_get_args() captures all arguments as an array regardless of defined parameters, lacks type enforcement, and involves performance overhead. 2. ...$args allows explicit typing for declared parameters, collects remaining arguments into an array with better performance, and enhances code readability and IDE support. 3. Prefer ...$args in modern PHP 8 code for structured argument handling, while func_get_args() is suitable for legacy or dynamically typed scenarios.
The main difference between func_get_args()
and the ...$args
rest parameter in PHP 8 lies in how they capture and handle function arguments — especially when it comes to type safety, readability, and performance.

How func_get_args()
works
func_get_args()
is a legacy function that retrieves all the arguments passed to the current function as an array. It’s been around since earlier versions of PHP and is still usable in PHP 8.

- It can be used in any function, regardless of defined parameters.
- It captures all arguments, even if some were explicitly declared.
- It returns values, not references (unless handled specially).
- You can’t enforce types on the arguments easily.
Example:
function example() { $args = func_get_args(); print_r($args); } example(1, 2, 3); // Output: Array ( [0] => 1 [1] => 2 [2] => 3 )
This method works fine for simple use cases but lacks structure and clarity.

What ...$args
brings to the table
In PHP 8, using the splat operator (...
) in a function definition like this:
function example(int $first, ...$rest) { print_r($rest); }
You’re clearly defining:
- Which arguments are expected upfront (e.g.,
$first
must be anint
) - That any additional arguments will be collected into
$rest
as an array
This has several advantages:
- Type declarations work with explicit parameters
- Better performance, because
func_get_args()
involves extra internal copying - More readable code, since you can see which arguments are intended
- IDE support and static analysis can understand and validate the signature
Example:
function example(int $first, ...$rest) { echo "First: $first\n"; print_r($rest); } example(10, 'apple', true); // Output: // First: 10 // Array ( [0] => apple [1] => 1 )
Here, the first argument is enforced to be an integer, and anything after gets packed into $rest
.
When to choose one over the other
If you're writing modern PHP code and have control over the function definitions, prefer using ...$args
. It gives better clarity and plays well with type hints and IDEs.
Use func_get_args()
only if:
- You're maintaining older code that can't be updated easily
- You need to access arguments dynamically in functions with variable-length input
- You don’t care about strict typing or performance optimizations
Also worth noting:
-
func_get_args()
can be used inside closures and anonymous functions -
...$args
gives cleaner syntax and avoids calling a helper function
So while both approaches can collect function arguments, ...$args
is generally the better choice in new PHP 8 code. The improvements in readability and type handling make it worth switching to if possible.
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