Empty non-null Associative Arrays should be trivial or even the default.

[Rekel]

Having to insert dummy variables into an associative array in 
order to initialize it (and prevent foreach loops from throwing a 
range violation error) seems very dirty to me. Why is there no 
syntax for empty initialization?

Suddenly getting a nullpointer after removing a ~= in an entirely 
different part of my code is 1 (VERY problematic) thing, but I'm 
even more surprised by the possible 'fixes'. . . (which would be 
either a useless insertion & removal procedure or a nullpointer 
check I will never again need after initial steps.)

Is there any plan of resolving this issue? I'm shocked this is 
even a thing at all.