Speaking from a general point of view, everything in life has its problems because everybody, or supposedly everybody, is different. The best path you can take is to choose yourself a language - in this case you've chosen PHP, and stick with it. Granted it has its problems, I vehemently dislike the create_function function. I think it's truly appalling. I much prefer Javascript's implementation of it - and as Ruby is more like Javascript in its syntactical implementation, I do like Ruby, but I wouldn't take it up as my primary language for the very reason that I could be learning new programming languages constantly in my life - making me a Jack of all languages, master of none.

With that said, PHP 5.3 and PHP 6 really will bring a lot more to the table. However, although they're implementing namespaces amongst other exciting features, they're not fixing their inconsistencies in the function naming. I personally feel PHP should place all the global functions into namespaces, such as String and Math. Can I see that happening? Honestly? No, I can't.

However, I know I will be sticking with PHP, but I won't be sticking with PHP because of any blinkered ignorance, but rather because, although it has flaws and downsides, as other languages inevitably do because of my original point, with well thought out organisation via implementing various design patterns, with a flexible and logical hierarchical directory structure, it really does shine - as does every other language, and thus the conclusion we can reach from this is that it's really down to personal preference.

The lesson to be learnt? Take others opinions on-board, but don't let them hijack and divert you from your own path their discouragement. After all, we all have the ability to make up our own minds and act on those accordingly.

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The man who comes back through the Door in the Wall will never be quite the same as the man who went out.