PHP Versions

PHP has been a key technology in web development from the beginning, helping create interactive websites and web applications. Over the years, PHP has evolved, introducing new features, performance improvements, and better security. Understanding the different PHP versions and their changes is essential for developers to keep their code up to date and take advantage of the latest improvements.

Here we explore the evolution of PHP from PHP 3 to the latest stable PHP 8.4 and offers practical guidance for choosing and migrating between versions.

Let’s take a look at the different versions of PHP, their release years, and the key features they introduced:

Did you know? PHP began as a humble set of C scripts crafted by Rasmus Lerdorf to manage his online resume and track visitors. What started as a personal project soon evolved into a powerful tool that would lay the foundation for one of the most widely used programming languages in web development.

Choosing the Right PHP Version for Your Project

Here are main factors that you consider while choosing version of php for your project:

1. Security: Use actively supported versions only.
2. Performance: PHP 7+ significantly outperforms earlier versions.
3. Compatibility: Ensure your CMS/framework supports the version.

PHP Version Recommendations by Project Type

Choose the right PHP version based on your project requirements and compatibility needs: