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Gurpinder Singh
Gurpinder Singh

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What is the PHP CodeSniffer?

PHP CodeSniffer is a popular tool used for detecting violations of coding standards in PHP code. It helps maintain consistency and quality in your codebase by analyzing PHP, JavaScript, and CSS files for adherence to defined coding standards.

Key Features of PHP CodeSniffer

Coding Standards Enforcement:

CodeSniffer checks code against predefined coding standards (like PSR-1, PSR-2, and PSR-12) and can be customized to follow your own standards.
Customizable Rulesets:

You can create custom rulesets to specify which standards to enforce or ignore, allowing for flexibility based on your project’s needs.
Automatic Fixing:

With the phpcbf (PHP Code Beautifier and Fixer) command, CodeSniffer can automatically correct many of the detected coding standard violations.
Detailed Reporting:

It provides detailed reports on violations, including file names, line numbers, and descriptions of the issues, making it easier to identify and fix problems.
Integration with Other Tools:

PHP CodeSniffer can be integrated into various development environments and continuous integration systems, enhancing workflow automation.
Installation and Usage
Installation: You can install PHP CodeSniffer via Composer:
composer global require "squizlabs/php_codesniffer=*"

Basic Usage: To check a PHP file for coding standards violations, you can run:
phpcs path/to/your/file.php

Using Custom Rulesets: You can specify a custom ruleset file:
phpcs --standard=path/to/ruleset.xml path/to/your/file.php

Automatic Fixing: To automatically fix coding standard violations, use:
phpcbf path/to/your/file.php

PHP CodeSniffer is an essential tool for any PHP developer aiming to write clean, consistent, and maintainable code. By enforcing coding standards, it helps teams collaborate effectively and reduces the likelihood of introducing bugs due to style inconsistencies.

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