./configure currently distinguishes between --enable-extname and --with-extname flags, where --enable is used for extensions without dependencies, and --with for those with dependencies.
In practice, the actual usage is very inconsistent, and there's plenty of edge cases (what about extensions that have a dependency, but the dependency is bundled?) Since the pkg-config migration in PHP 7.4, most --with options don't even accept a library directory anymore, so the difference between these flags eroded further.
In PHP 7.4, we tried to normalize the usage of --enable and --with somewhat, but this only went partway, and I think was a pretty bad idea in hindsight, because it just broke existing configure scripts without much benefit.
I think it would be better to give up on this distinction entirely, make all extensions enabled via --enable-extname (in docs), but accept --with-extname as an alias.
I'm not sure how this would be done technically, but the right starting point is probably the macro definitions starting at https://github.com/php/php-src/blob/c260613c6f166dc25d7c3a4ed090df5c08735491/build/php.m4#L684.
./configurecurrently distinguishes between--enable-extnameand--with-extnameflags, where--enableis used for extensions without dependencies, and--withfor those with dependencies.In practice, the actual usage is very inconsistent, and there's plenty of edge cases (what about extensions that have a dependency, but the dependency is bundled?) Since the pkg-config migration in PHP 7.4, most
--withoptions don't even accept a library directory anymore, so the difference between these flags eroded further.In PHP 7.4, we tried to normalize the usage of
--enableand--withsomewhat, but this only went partway, and I think was a pretty bad idea in hindsight, because it just broke existing configure scripts without much benefit.I think it would be better to give up on this distinction entirely, make all extensions enabled via
--enable-extname(in docs), but accept--with-extnameas an alias.I'm not sure how this would be done technically, but the right starting point is probably the macro definitions starting at https://github.com/php/php-src/blob/c260613c6f166dc25d7c3a4ed090df5c08735491/build/php.m4#L684.