What is the significance of type hinting in PHP method declarations?

Type hinting in PHP method declarations allows developers to specify the data type of a parameter that a method expects. This helps improve code readability, maintainability, and can prevent potential bugs by enforcing strict data type checking. By using type hinting, developers can clearly communicate the expected input types for each method, making it easier for other developers to understand and use the code effectively.

// Example of type hinting in PHP method declarations
class Calculator {
    public function add(int $num1, int $num2): int {
        return $num1 + $num2;
    }
}

$calculator = new Calculator();
echo $calculator->add(5, 10); // Output: 15