php allow_call_time_pass_reference

[Dan <xp...@da...>]

I started using this object back when it was called phpxml -- very 
useful for assembling UPS & USPS xml requests and easily deciphering 
xml responses from either shipping tool.  I thought it might be a good 
idea to upgrade my code to make use of the new Php.XPath 3.3 object 
because the old phpxml object threw the following error:

Call-time pass-by-reference has been deprecated - argument passed by 
value. If you would like to pass it by reference, modify the 
declaration of {function_name()}. If you would like to enable call-time 
pass-by-reference, you can set allow_call_time_pass_reference to true 
in your INI file. However, future versions may not support this any 
longer.

So, I modified the INI file and all was good.  However, I'm concerned 
about using this option because it has been deprecated and may not be 
supported in future releases of php.  I've noticed that Php.XPath 
throws the same error with allow_call_time_pass_reference set to false, 
in 3 places in the XPathEngine class.

Can the XPathEngine class be modified so as to not pass arguments by 
reference?  Will this cause problems with the object?  Is there a 
particular reason the developers of this object employ reference calls 
that have been deprecated? For example, can...

xml_set_object($parser, &$this);

... be replaced with...

xml_set_object($parser, $this);

... and still function properly?  Just wanted an expert answer before I 
go and update all the shopping carts I host with the new code.  Thank 
you for your time and help!

Dan
xp...@da...