Trait Method Collision

Why This Happens

When a class uses two traits that define a method with the same name, PHP cannot decide which one to use and throws a fatal error. You must explicitly resolve the conflict using the insteadof operator to pick one implementation, and optionally use as to alias the other.

The Problem

trait Timestampable {
    public function createdAt(): string { return $this->createdAt; }
}
trait Auditable {
    public function createdAt(): string { return $this->auditCreatedAt; }
}
class User {
    use Timestampable, Auditable; // Collision on createdAt()
}

The Fix

trait Timestampable {
    public function createdAt(): string { return $this->createdAt; }
}
trait Auditable {
    public function createdAt(): string { return $this->auditCreatedAt; }
}
class User {
    use Timestampable, Auditable {
        Timestampable::createdAt insteadof Auditable;
        Auditable::createdAt as auditCreatedAt;
    }
}

Step-by-Step Fix

1. 1

   Identify the conflicting method

   The error message names the method and traits that collide. Look at both trait definitions.

2. 2

   Choose with insteadof

   Use TraitA::method insteadof TraitB to pick which trait's implementation to use.

3. 3

   Alias the other

   Use TraitB::method as aliasName to keep both implementations accessible under different names.