build(php): Raise minimum version to 8.4 (#60)

Move the supported PHP floor from 8.3 to 8.4 across the toolchain.
Drop 8.3 from the CI matrix (now 8.4 and 8.5), bump the Docker image,
phpstan and rector targets, and align every version reference in the
README, docs site, and contributor guides. Revert an experimental 8.5
pipe operator in nameFix back to the typed one-liner so the code runs
on the 8.4 floor.

Also tighten the removeAccents benchmark surfaced by static analysis:
guard the str_repeat count as a non-negative int and fold each result
into a printed checksum so the pure calls cannot be optimised away.

Signed-off-by: Marjo Wenzel van Lier <[email protected]>

Author: MarjovanLier

.coderabbit.yaml

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # yaml-language-server: $schema=https://docs.coderabbit.ai/schema/schema.v2.json
 
 # CodeRabbit Configuration
-# StringManipulation PHP 8.3+ Library
+# StringManipulation PHP 8.4+ Library
 # Enforces strict quality standards: PHPStan MAX, SOLID principles, PER-CS2.0
 
 # Language and Tone
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ reviews:
         Review PHP code for adherence to PER Coding Style 2.0 guidelines.
         Ensure proper namespace usage, code organisation, and separation
         of concerns. Verify that SOLID principles are followed and
-        encourage FOOP techniques—such as immutable data, pure functions,
-        and functional composition—to improve maintainability,
+        encourage FOOP techniques (such as immutable data, pure functions,
+        and functional composition) to improve maintainability,
         testability, and performance.
 
         Specific checks:
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ reviews:
         - Final classes with static methods where appropriate
         - Comprehensive docblocks with @param, @return, and @example tags
         - No methods exceeding 100 lines (PHPMD rule)
-        - PHP 8.3+ features and patterns
+        - PHP 8.4+ features and patterns
         - Proper error handling and null safety
 
     - path: "tests/**/*.php"

.github/workflows/codecov.yml

@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@ jobs:
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0
 
-      - name: Set up php 8.3
+      - name: Set up php 8.4
         uses: shivammathur/setup-php@v2
         with:
-          php-version: "8.3"
+          php-version: "8.4"
           extensions: mbstring, xml, zip, pdo_mysql, xhprof
 
       - name: Install dependencies

.github/workflows/php.yml

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        php-versions: ["8.3", "8.4", "8.5"]
+        php-versions: ["8.4", "8.5"]
 
     steps:
       # This step checks out a copy of your repository.

CLAUDE.md

@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with co
 
 ## Project Overview
 
-High-performance PHP 8.3+ string manipulation library with zero production dependencies. Single final class (`StringManipulation`) exposing static methods optimised with pre-computed character mappings for O(1) lookups via `strtr()`.
+High-performance PHP 8.4+ string manipulation library with zero production dependencies. Single final class (`StringManipulation`) exposing static methods optimised with pre-computed character mappings for O(1) lookups via `strtr()`.
 
 ## Build & Test Commands
 
-**Always use Docker** to ensure consistent PHP 8.3 + AST extension environment.
+**Always use Docker** to ensure consistent PHP 8.4 + AST extension environment.
 
 | Task | Docker | Local |
 |------|--------|-------|
@@ -82,4 +82,4 @@ Mutation testing target MSI: 88%.
 
 ## CI
 
-GitHub Actions runs the test matrix against PHP 8.3, 8.4, and 8.5 with vulnerability scanning (osv-scanner + Enlightn).
+GitHub Actions runs the test matrix against PHP 8.4 and 8.5 with vulnerability scanning (osv-scanner + Enlightn).

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Thank you for your interest in contributing to StringManipulation! This document
 
 - Docker and Docker Compose
 - Git
-- PHP 8.3+ (optional, only for local development without Docker)
+- PHP 8.4+ (optional, only for local development without Docker)
 
 ### Setting Up Pre-commit Hooks
 

Dockerfile

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-FROM php:8.3-cli-alpine
+FROM php:8.4-cli-alpine
 
 # Install system dependencies
 RUN apk add --no-cache \

README.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 ## Introduction
 
-Welcome to the `StringManipulation` library, a high-performance PHP 8.3+ toolkit designed for complex and efficient
+Welcome to the `StringManipulation` library, a high-performance PHP 8.4+ toolkit designed for complex and efficient
 string handling. Following a recent suite of O(n) optimisations, the library is now **2-5x faster**, making it one of
 the most powerful and reliable solutions for developers who require speed and precision in their PHP applications.
 
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ of tools to ensure stability and correctness.
 
 ### Docker-Based Testing (Recommended)
 
-For a consistent and reliable testing environment, we recommend using Docker. Our Docker setup includes PHP 8.3 with all
+For a consistent and reliable testing environment, we recommend using Docker. Our Docker setup includes PHP 8.4 with all
 required extensions:
 
 ```bash
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ docker-compose run --rm test-infection    # Mutation testing
 
 ### Local Testing
 
-If you have a local PHP 8.3+ environment configured:
+If you have a local PHP 8.4+ environment configured:
 
 ```bash
 # Complete test suite
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ composer tests
 
 ## System Requirements
 
-- **PHP 8.3 or later** (strict typing enabled)
+- **PHP 8.4 or later** (strict typing enabled)
 - **`mbstring` extension** for multi-byte string operations
 - **`intl` extension** for internationalisation and advanced Unicode support
 - **Enabled `declare(strict_types=1);`** for robust type safety

composer.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "marjovanlier/stringmanipulation",
-  "description": "High-performance PHP 8.3+ string manipulation library featuring O(n) algorithms with up to 5x speed improvements. Provides Unicode-aware operations including searchWords(), nameFix(), utf8Ansi(), removeAccents(), and isValidDate() with comprehensive testing infrastructure.",
+  "description": "High-performance PHP 8.4+ string manipulation library featuring O(n) algorithms with up to 5x speed improvements. Provides Unicode-aware operations including searchWords(), nameFix(), utf8Ansi(), removeAccents(), and isValidDate() with comprehensive testing infrastructure.",
   "keywords": [
     "string manipulation",
     "performance",
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
   },
   "minimum-stability": "stable",
   "require": {
-    "php": "^8.3"
+    "php": "^8.4"
   },
   "require-dev": {
     "enlightn/security-checker": ">=2.0",
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
     "test:phpstan": "Perform advanced static analysis with PHPStan for type checking, null safety, and logic validation",
     "test:pest": "Run comprehensive Pest test suite with mutation testing, strict type checking and edge case coverage",
     "test:psalm": "Execute Psalm static analysis for advanced type inference, purity checking, and security validation",
-    "test:rector": "Analyse code for modernisation opportunities and PHP 8.3+ feature adoption using Rector rules",
+    "test:rector": "Analyse code for modernisation opportunities and PHP 8.4+ feature adoption using Rector rules",
     "test:vulnerabilities-check": "Scan all dependencies for known CVE vulnerabilities and security advisories using Enlightn Security Checker",
     "fix:code-style": "Automatically fix code style issues with Pint",
     "fix:rector": "Apply Rector refactorings to improve code quality",

docs/_config.yml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Site settings
 title: StringManipulation
-description: High-performance PHP 8.3+ string manipulation library featuring O(n) algorithms with up to 5x speed improvements
+description: High-performance PHP 8.4+ string manipulation library featuring O(n) algorithms with up to 5x speed improvements
 baseurl: "/StringManipulation"
 url: "https://marjovanlier.github.io"
 

docs/contributing.md

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ We welcome contributions to the StringManipulation library! Whether you're fixin
 
 ### Prerequisites
 
-- PHP 8.3 or later
+- PHP 8.4 or later
 - Docker and Docker Compose (recommended for testing)
 - Git
 - Composer
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ Use descriptive branch names:
 ### PHP Standards
 
 - **Strict typing**: All files must include `declare(strict_types=1);`
-- **PHP 8.3+**: Use modern PHP features
+- **PHP 8.4+**: Use modern PHP features
 - **PSR-4 autoloading**: Follow namespace conventions
 - **Final classes**: Prefer final classes with static methods
 - **Typed parameters**: Always use explicit type declarations