title: Setting UTC timezone with numeric values in PHP
body: <p>I receive a number (e.g. +3, +8.30, -1...) representing the UTC time zone.
  I would like to set the default time zone for PHP using the UTC value, and NOT a random city name.</p>
  <p>I know, I could create a (big) lookup array table and/or type a list of cities, but I would rather use the direct UTC offset, so my dream would be to have it working like this:</p>
  <p><code>date_default_timezone_set('UTC+3');</code><br>
  or<br>
  <code>date_default_timezone_set('+3');</code></p>
  <p>Basically, almost like in <strong>MySQL</strong>:<br>
  <code>SET GLOBAL time_zone = '+3:00';</code></p>
  <p>I sincerely would have expected the PHP function to FIRST support numbers, and MAYBE later the city, but it looks like PHP already accepts a city name and NOT the UTC number - which should be easier to implement IMHO.</p>
  <p>I couldn't find a way to do it without writing a lookup table, which is both ugly and slow :(</p>
  <p>Thanks for your help</p>