__autoload() is deprecated, use spl_autoload_register() instead

Description

The initial autoloader was a custom function, that was called whenever a class, interface or trait had to be loaded, but could not be found by PHP yet.

This approach was useful, but limited management operation: in particular, it was not possible to add more functions, or remove some of them. So, it was replaced with the spl_autoload_register() function, which add a closure to a list of autoloaders.

Example

<?php

function __autoload() {}

?>

Solutions

• Give another name to the __autoload function, and register it as autoloader with spl_autoload_register().

• Remove the __autoload function.

In more recent PHP versions, this error message is now __autoload() is no longer supported, use spl_autoload_register() instead.

Changed Behavior

This error may appear following an evolution in behavior, in previous versions. See autoload.

Static Analysis

This error may be tracked down with the following static analysis rules: Php/oldAutoloadUsage.