How to correctly change line character limit configuration in PHP CodeSniffer?

Question

So I want to change the values for $lineLimit and $absoluteLineLimit that PHP CodeSniffer uses when checking files. After some googling I tried to make my own standard to facilitate this but I haven't got it working. Working on Ubuntu 12.04.4LTS and in the system directory for PHP CodeSniffer I put in my folder MyStandard and in the subdirectory Sniffs I have what is to be my personal Sniff to change the line limit called LineLimit120Sniff.php

The code is as follows

class LineLimit120Sniff extends Generic_Sniffs_Files_LineLengthSniff
{
    public $lineLimit = 100;
    public $absoluteLineLimit = 120;
}

When I try to run phpcs --standard=MyStandard <file> I get the this as output

PHP Notice: Undefined offset: 3 in /usr/share/php/PHP/CodeSniffer.php on line 1189

PHP Fatal error: Cannot redeclare class LineLimit120Sniff in /usr/share/php/PHP/CodeSniffer/Standards/MyStandard/Sniffs/LineLimit120Sniff.php on line 8

I don't understand, how is the class being redeclared..? What am I doing wrong? Or alternatively, is there an easier way to change the $lineLimit setting?

Answer 1

The easy way is just create a ruleset.xml in a location you like and insert the text below into it.

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ruleset name="MyStandard">
    <description>This standard changes the line length</description>

    <!-- Insert all sniff from PSR2 standard -->
    <rule ref="PSR2"/>

    <rule ref="Generic.Files.LineLength">
        <properties>
            <property name="lineLimit" value="100"/>
            <property name="absoluteLineLimit" value="120"/>
        </properties>
     </rule>
</ruleset>

Use the standard by

phpcs --standard=/path/to/ruleset.xml test.php