Drupal is moving ahead with PHP attributes. Introduced in PHP 8.1, this feature is changing how developers define plugins and manage their metadata. But there’s a lot more that comes with it.
First and foremost, PHP attributes are a native feature of PHP 8.1. It eliminates the need for external libraries like "doctrine/annotations." This simplifies the development process by keeping code clean and concise.
Furthermore, modern IDEs offer better support for attributes. They provide features like code completion and validation, making your workflow significantly more efficient. And because attributes are a core part of the PHP language, you can rest assured that they'll receive ongoing development and support in future PHP versions. All of this ensures that your code remains compatible and up-to-date as Drupal evolves.
However, one question that comes up very often is why PHP attributes in the first place. Well, let’s understand this by knowing the limitations of annotations.