Add Return Empty String Function

[wpsmith]

There's an easy way to return boolean, integer (0), and an empty array. But what about an empty string?
root\wp-includes\functions.php

/**
 * Returns an empty string.
 *
 * Useful for returning an empty string to filters easily.
 *
 * @since 3.0.0
 * @see __return_empty_string()
 * @return string Empty string
 */
function __return_empty_string() {
	return '';
}

There is also one for null, which could be used in nearly all places __return_empty_string() might be used. Where might one use it, though? I closed #20358.

I probably missed it but where is the return null function? I see return_false but don't see return_null. If I am not mistaken those are two different ideas/purposes. Likewise, if one wishes to be consistent with types, it would be beneficial to have return_empty_string.

__return_null is new in 3.4, I think.

Replying to wpsmith:

I probably missed it but where is the return null function?

It was added in #18845.

Added a patch since this ticket wasn't closed, just in case...

Using __return_null when I really want an empty string seems hackish.

There are at least 3 plugins in the repo doing their own version of __return_empty_string but 1 returns the parameter passed to it, and another actually echoes an empty string. Not sure if only 3 attempts is an indication that there's not a big enough need, or if that 2 of 3 attempts doing it wrong indicates there should be a core function to save them.

Agreed. Seems hackish. Any word from the powers that be?