No Reference To $GLOBALS Variable

Since PHP 8.2, it is not possible anymore to create a reference to the $GLOBALS variable. It prevents any unexpected updates to this array.

It is still possible to make a reference to any of the element of that array, individually.

PHP code

<?PHP

$b = &$GLOBALS;

print_r($b);

?>

Before

Array
(
    [_GET] => Array
        (
        )

    [_POST] => Array
        (
        )

    [_COOKIE] => Array
        (
        )
// .... and more

After

PHP Fatal error:  Cannot acquire reference to $GLOBALS

PHP version change

This behavior changed in 8.2