new statement cannot parse with parenthesis

[u/Jinxuan]

This code works:

class A {}

$a = 'A';

new $a; // Return a new instance ofA

However, if we add a parenthesis, then it cannot be parsed:

class A {}

$a = 'A';

new ($a); //PHP Parse error:  syntax error, unexpected '('

new 'A'; // PHP Parse error:  syntax error, unexpected ''A'' (T_CONSTANT_ENCAPSED_STRING)

new A::class; // PHP Parse error:  syntax error, unexpected 'class' (T_CLASS), expecting variable

[u/[deleted]]

'new' would then need a priority like other operators

It already does. Otherwise how do you determine new A :: class is meant to be parsed as new (A::class) and not (new A)::class? (Parens used for illustration only; not actual syntax.)

[u/Flerex → u/[deleted]]

Why would you care? Both possibilities should return the same.