PHPDoc and Your IDE
@var annotation allows the IDE to understand variable types and provide accurate automatic completion and type safety; 2. @param and @return make the function self-document, clarify the parameter and return value types, and discover type errors in advance; 3. Arrays and collections need to use @var or @return to specify the complete type (such as array
Writing good PHPDoc isn't just about documenting your code—it's about making your IDE work for you, not against you.

When you add accurate PHPDoc annotations (like @param
, @return
, and @var
), you're giving your IDE explicit clues about what types to expect. This means:
- Better autocomplete
- Fewer "undefined method" false positives
- Smarter refactoring tools
- Inline type checking as you type
1. @var
Helps Your IDE Understand Variables
If you're working with a database query or a mixed array, your IDE might not know what's inside. Add a @var
above the line:

/** @var User $user */ $user = $repository->find($id); $user-> // ← IDE now suggests User methods
Without the @var
, the IDE might only see mixed
or object
—no autocomplete, no safety.
2. @param
and @return
Make Functions Self-Documenting
/** * @param string $email * @param int $userId * @return User|null */ function findUserByEmail(string $email, int $userId): ?User { // ... }
Now when someone calls this function:

- They'll see expected parameter types in toolsetips
- The return value is clear—even if it's nullable
- If they pass the wrong type, the IDE warns them before runtime
3. Collections and Arrays Need Extra Help
PHP's loose typing makes arrays tricky. Use @var
or @return
with full type hints:
/** @var array<int, string> $tags */ $tags = getTags(); foreach ($tags as $index => $tag) { $tag // ← IDE knows this is a string }
Or for objects in arrays:
/** @return Order[] */ function getOrders(): array { // ... }
Now your IDE knows each item in the array is an Order
—with all its methods available.
Bonus: Use @throws
for Better Error Awareness
/** * @throws ValidationException */ public function save(User $user): void { // ... }
Your IDE can now warn if you're not handling expected exceptions—even if PHP won't catch them at runtime.
Bottom line: PHPDoc isn't just for phpDocumentor or other devs—it's fuel for your IDE. The better your annotations, the smarter your tooling behaves. It's a small investment that pays off every time you hit Ctrl Space
.
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PHP ignores the execution overhead of comments, because comments are discarded during the compilation stage and will not enter the opcode execution process; 2. The only negligible performance impact is the microsecond parsing time when the script is first loaded, and there is almost no impact after OPcache is enabled; 3. Priority should be paid to the real performance bottlenecks such as database queries and loops, rather than the number of comments.

PHPDoctagsarestructuredannotationsthatdocumentcodeforbetterunderstandingandtoolingsupport;1)@paramdescribesfunctionparameterswithtypeanddescription,2)@returnspecifiesthereturntypeandmeaning,3)@throwsindicatespossibleexceptions,andtogethertheyenhanceI

Explain "why" rather than "what to do", such as skipping the CSV headline line; 2. Use less in-line comments and replace complex logic with clear function names; 3. Indicate edge cases, such as the fallback mailbox is GDPR compliant when it is empty; 4. Use PHPDoc to standardize public API parameters and exceptions; 5. Keep comments updated, outdated comments are worse than no comments.

Explain non-obvious logic, such as bypassing third-party library bugs or performance optimization; 2. Record complex algorithms or mathematical formulas such as compound interest calculations; 3. Mark to-do items or temporary fixes, use //TODO: or //FIXME; 4. Use useful and concise PHPDoc to explain intention rather than duplicate syntax in public methods - in short, comment when others may be confused "why write this way", otherwise keep the code clean.

Use htmlspecialchars() and preprocessing statements to prevent XSS and SQL injection; 2. Verify input through trim(), length check and filter_var(); 3. Add honeypot field or reCAPTCHAv3 to resist spam comments; 4. Use CSRF token to ensure that the source of the form is trustworthy; 5. Use preprocessing statements during storage and HTMLPurifier to purify the content before display, and do not trust user input throughout the process, so as to build a safe PHP comment system.

Do not write sensitive information (such as passwords, API keys) in comments, because it may be exposed by logs or version control, and you should use environment variables or key management tools instead; 2. Do not "annotate" outdated code with comments, which will cause confusion, and you should delete it directly and restore it by Git history, and explain the reason for the deletion if necessary; 3. Do not write obvious nonsense comments (such as "create empty arrays"), let the variable names be interpreted by themselves, and only explain "why" when the logic is complicated; 4. Do not leave large TODO/FIXME without responsible persons and deadlines, which are easy to become garbage. You should use project management tools to track them, or indicate the person in charge and deadline in comments.

When the code is not intuitive (such as bit operations and regularity) you must comment on the intention; 2. Public functions need to comment on the purpose and implicit logic (such as relying on holiday status); 3. Use TODO/FIXME to mark temporary plans or to-do items (such as hardcoded API addresses); 4. When citing external algorithms, the source (such as StackOverflow link); the core of the annotation is to reduce the cost of understanding, not to make up the numbers.

Priority is given to the use of "why" comments rather than "what to do" comments, because the former provides background or business logic that the code cannot express; 2. Avoid duplication of content that has been clearly expressed by the code, and improve readability by improving variable or function naming; 3. Use PHPDoc block comments to explain the function function function, and keep inline comments focused on explaining the reasons for decision-making, thereby improving code maintainability and saving subsequent development time.
