PHP Language Syntax Improvement

syntax.php

<?php

# Proposal
// remove parens gives a clear sign that it's not a function
declare strict_types = 1;

// require parens in constructs allowed to be used like a function
false or print("always returns 1");

// exit and die never returns value like echo and __halt_compiler
$foo = exit; // should be parse error
$foo = die; // same here

# Background
// since declare is not a function should not look like a function
// this language construct has to be very first in file
// also it doesn't return any value
declare(strict_types = 1);

// some language constructs can be used only as a statement
echo "works as a statement";

// therefore they do not return anything and cannot be used
// in write context, this is considered parse error
$foo = echo "no matter of parentheses existence";
false or echo "similar here";

// above mentioned is not a valid point for print which
// is also a language construct but more often used like
// a function with parens
false or print "foo";

// similar for exit and die which are not a functions either
// but a language construct although it can be used as an expression
// which suggest to put the same requirement on print in write context
false or die('like a function');

// there is also a __halt_compiler which is not a function
// but can be used only like a function and not in write context
// giving always parse error
$foo = __halt_compiler();
false or __halt_compiler();