The correct fix is to have references throw an error when numified or stringified. Period, end of story. If you want to stringify a reference, use ref(). If you want to numify a reference, use ref_addr(). If you want something unique, use some combination of the two.

Solve the problem. Don't throw a random bandaid on it.

My criteria for good software:
  1. Does it work?
  2. Can someone else come in, make a change, and be reasonably certain no bugs were introduced?

In reply to Re^7: The trap of reference numification by dragonchild
in thread The trap of reference numification by samtregar

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