Update PHP 7 – All Set to Enhance and Accelerate The Web Performance This October

All technology giants and developers are desperately awaiting the release of PHP 7. It is expected to be bundled with some stunning features that not only doubles the performance but also enriches the user experience.

Developers can make sure that we will see 360 degree change in performance and speed. With version 7, PHP should receive a JIT engine, which can dynamically compile Zend opcodes into a native machine code, engine improvements, lower memory usage, native local thread storage, language compatibility and much more.

Let’s look at some of the major changes and features we are expecting in PHP7.

Key Summary

This article from InApps Technology, authored by Phu Nguyen, highlights the anticipated features and improvements of PHP 7, expected to launch in October 2015. It emphasizes PHP 7’s potential to double performance, enhance user experience, and compete with Facebook’s HHVM through the PHPNG (Next Generation) branch. Key points include:

• Overview:
  • PHP 7: A major update promising significant performance improvements, lower memory usage, and new features to enrich web development.
  • Context: Positioned to rival HHVM (HipHop Virtual Machine) by improving the Zend Engine.
• Key Features and Improvements:
  • Standalone Multi-Thread Web Server:
    • Not confirmed for PHP 7 but anticipated in future versions.
    • Enables handling multiple simultaneous requests with a single database, reducing memory usage and server needs, making it environmentally friendly.
  • Performance Improvements:
    • PHPNG focuses on matching HHVM’s performance.
    • Zeev Suraski (Zend) notes PHPNG’s evolution in performance, positioning it as a competitive alternative.
  • JIT Engine:
    • Dynamically compiles Zend opcodes into native machine code for faster execution.
    • Planned by Zend to enhance PHP 7’s speed.
  • Abstract Syntax Tree (AST):
    • Proposed by Nikita Popov to improve the compilation process.
    • Benefits: Enables optimizations for faster execution, supports static code analyzers for bug detection, and improves parser/compiler maintainability.
  • Asynchronous Programming:
    • Allows parallel task execution within a single request, boosting performance.
    • Requires new PHP code to leverage, with refactoring of the I/O multiplexing layer (per Julien Pauli).
  • Other Features: Lower memory usage, native local thread storage, and improved language compatibility.
• Release Timeline:
  • Initial release expected in mid-October 2015 (per Wikipedia), with further versions to follow.
  • Exact date unconfirmed at the time of the article.
• InApps Insight:
  • InApps Technology aligns with PHP 7’s performance-driven approach, leveraging Microsoft’s Power Platform and Azure, using Power Fx for low-code solutions and Azure Durable Functions for scalable web workflows.
  • Integrates Node.js, Vue.js, GraphQL APIs (e.g., Apollo), and Azure to complement PHP-based development, targeting startups and enterprises with Millennial-driven expectations.

Standalone Multi thread Web Server

Having standalone multi-thread server might not be in PHP 7 version but it can be expected in higher version that would surely make PHP more scalable. A multi-threading Web server can handle many simultaneous requests using a single database, thus save memory.

PHP 7 will reduce the need for servers and make it a great choice environmentally.

Performance Improvements

The main purpose of PHPNG was to bring performance improvements that could be mapped with the features that Facebook HHVM provides. Zeev Suraski of Zend has written an article in which he openly admits that they treat HHVM as a competitor of (the Zend Engine based) PHP.

In the article Zeev demonstrates how far PHPNG branch has evolved in terms of performance improvements.

(Just in time) JIT Engine

A JIT engine can dynamically compile Zend opcodes into native machine code that eventually would make the code run faster next time it is run and improve performance. It is certainly in the plans of Zend to allow bringing a JIT engine to PHP 7, according to Zeev Suraskiit.

AST: Abstract Syntax Tree

Nikita Popov proposed the introduction of an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) in PHP compilation process that would support the PHPNG branch. Few advantages of using Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) are:

• The potential for more optimizations that would make PHP run even faster
• Open space for more interesting tools like static code analyzers which are often useful to detect bugs
• Maintainable parser and compiler and better code quality

Asynchronous Programming

This feature would allow implementing and execution of parallel tasks within the same request. thus pushing PHP performance improvement potential to a different level. New PHP code needs to be written to take advantage of the asynchronous programming potential. Julien Pauli explained the asynchronous programming factors, refactoring PHP I/O multiplexing layer.

Check out latest info-graphics showing all the information about new PHP 7 versions:

When to expect PHP 7 Release Date?

The release date is not yet confirmed, but the initial versions release can be expected in mid October 2015 as mentioned in Wikipedia, and later we can expect its further versions.

Do you like this latest PHP development posts? Is there anything else you’d like to see happening in the PHP language in future? Let us know through your comments, what do you think about upcoming PHP 7.