Why does using the \"use\" statement for classes in PHP namespaces cause an error when including files, and how can this be resolved?

PHP Namespaces and the intricae "use" Statement

Navigating namespaces and the "use" statement in PHP can be puzzling. The query at hand delves into an issue encounterd when attempting to establish namespaces across multiple files.

In the example presented, three files are associated with a hierarchy of classes: ShapeInterface.php, Shape.php, and Circle.php. To implement namespaces, the "namespace Shape;" declaration is included in each file. Within the Circle.php file, the inclusion of "Shape.php" and "ShapeInterface.php" via the "include" statement results in successful execution. However, when the "use" statements are employed, an error arises, indicating that the "ShapeShape" class cannot be located.

To understand the reason behind this error, it's crucial to grasp the purpose of the "use" operator. Its primary function is to establish aliases for class, interface, or namespace names. When utilizing the "use" statement, it's common practice to shorten a lengthy name:

<code class="php">use My\Full\Namespace;</code>

This is functionally equivalent to:

<code class="php">use My\Full\Namespace as Namespace;
// Namespace\Foo is now an alias for My\Full\Namespace\Foo</code>

However, when the "use" operator is used with class or interface names, its behavior changes:

<code class="php">// after this, "new DifferentName();" will instantiate "My\Full\Classname"
use My\Full\Classname as DifferentName;

// enables using "new ArrayObject()" and "new \ArrayObject()" interchangeably
use ArrayObject;</code>

It's important to note that the "use" operator is not a substitute for autoloading. Autoloading eliminates the need for explicit file inclusion by registering a designated function to handle class loading (e.g., using "spl_autoload_register"). By implementing autoloading based on conventions like PSR-4, you can streamline the class loading process.

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