[Feature Request] Optional native types for numeric fields

[dcelasun]

As you've described in the wiki, all numeric types are converted to string in PHP. I understand why you chose this (PHP doesn't handle scalar primitives very well), but maybe you can provide a config option for this?

For example:

ini_set("protocolbuffers.native_scalars",1);

This way we can have this:

.proto type	php type
double	double
float	double
int32	int
int64	int
uint32	int
uint64	int
sint32	int
sint64	int
fixed32	int
fixed64	int
sfixed32	int
sfixed64	int

This would have better performance on 64bit Linux and OS X systems. Any thoughts?

[chobie]

yap, it's reduce memory and improve performance. I'll add this to my task list.

[dcelasun]

Good to hear, thanks!

[chobie]

for now, prototype works fine on support-native-scalar branch.

simple performance check with example/prefecture.php on my macbook.

#native scalars off (default)
processing time: 5.417232 (0.000542/message)

#native scalars on
processing time: 4.771613 (0.000477/message)

I'll brush this branch up on this week.

[chobie]

Oops, Travis failed. I'll Check it when I back home

[dcelasun]

native scalars off (default)

processing time: 5.417232 (0.000542/message)

native scalars on

processing time: 4.771613 (0.000477/message)

Looking good, that's nearly a 12% improvement! I'll wait until the Travis build passes and run my own tests.

[mishak87]

:+1: Especially for enums it would make sense.

[chobie]

guys, sorry for late response.

My wife will begin forced to stay in hospital in this week. I don't have time right now, but I'm going to release this improvement in this month :) thanks

[dcelasun]

No worries @chobie, hope your wife feels better soon :)

[mishak87]

@chobie hope she will get better