Is there anything like Python's ctype for PHP? Accessing libraries without the need to write an extension?

Question

Python has ctypes to access libraries. In PHP you write extensions for everything. Popular extensions like the one for libgd are available almost everywhere.

Is there any extension which works like Python's ctypes, letting you access libraries without the need to write an PHP extension?

Answer 1

You're looking for ffi.

Answer 2

PHP 7.3 will have FFI (Foreign Function Interface).