PHP, or Hypertext Preprocessor, is widely used in web development. It is embedded within HTML and can create websites, applications, and customer relationship management systems. This justifies why PHP stands out amongst its competitors. The language was created by Danish-Canadian programmer Rasmus Lerdorf in 1993 and released in 1995. Since then, the PHP Version History has taken a paradigm shift regarding new changes and alterations per market needs and demands.
The journey of the PHP programming language has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting as a simple tool to track personal web page visits, it has evolved into one of the world’s most widely used server-side scripting languages.
PHP was originally an abbreviation of Personal Home Page, but now it stands for the recursive acronym PHP, Hypertext Preprocessor. Over the years, the PHP language has transformed through multiple versions, addressing developer needs and introducing features that cater to the ever-changing demands of web development. Its adaptability, performance, and vast community support have strengthened its position as a cornerstone in building dynamic, feature-rich websites and applications.
PHP/FI (1995)
Rasmus Lerdorf created the first version of the PHP/FI (Personal Home Page/Forms Interpreter) in 1995; as a set of CGI scripts to track visits to his online resume. It introduced basic scripting capabilities, database integration, and form handling. While rudimentary, PHP/FI provided a simple way to add dynamic content to static web pages and laid the foundation for PHP’s evolution.
PHP 2.x (1997)
PHP 2, the enhanced version of PHP/FI, formalized PHP into a more structured tool. It supported a broader range of databases and was the first version to incorporate basic programming structures like loops and conditionals. Though still not widely adopted, PHP 2 established its role as a dynamic web scripting language and set the stage for its future as open-source software.
PHP 3.x (1998)
- PHP 3.0 (June 1998)
PHP 3 was a complete rewrite by Zeev Suraski and Andi Gutmans. It was a milestone within the PHP version history due to the complete rewrite. This version introduced extensibility, modularity, and support for multiple databases like MySQL and Postgres. The name “PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor” debuted, reflecting its enhanced purpose. Community-driven, PHP 3 gained traction as a robust tool for dynamic web development and achieved widespread adoption.
- PHP 3.0.x (1998 - 2000)
The subsequent PHP sub-versions addressed bugs, added compatibility with more web servers, and stabilized PHP as a reliable developer tool. PHP 3’s flexibility and open-source nature helped create a vibrant developer community, solidifying PHP’s future.
PHP 4.x (2000 - 2005)
- PHP 4.0 (May 2000)
With Zend Engine 1.0 at its core, PHP 4 delivered better performance and stability. Key features included output buffering, session handling, and improved error management. It supported more web servers and focused on creating secure, scalable web applications. PHP 4 marked PHP’s rise as the dominant scripting language for dynamic websites.
- PHP 4.1 (December 2001)
This version introduced superglobals ($_GET, $_POST, $_SESSION), replacing older input handling methods. It simplified variable handling and improved security by addressing vulnerabilities in earlier methods. PHP 4.1 was a significant step toward modernizing the language and boosting developer-friendliness.
- PHP 4.2 (April 2002)
As a key security update, PHP 4.2 disabled register_globals by default, reducing the risks of variable manipulation. It also improved random number generation and HTTP file uploads, making it suitable for more robust web applications. These changes reinforced PHP’s reputation as a secure scripting language.
- PHP 4.3 (December 2002)
Introduced Command Line Interface (CLI), enabling PHP scripts to execute outside a web server. It added multibyte string support, catering to applications requiring non-ASCII text. PHP 4.3 extended PHP’s use cases beyond web development and into scripting automation tasks.
- PHP 4.4 (July 2005)
PHP 4.4 focused on resolving compatibility issues and fixing bugs. It offered security enhancements for legacy applications while ensuring a smooth transition to PHP 5. This version marked the end of new feature development for PHP 4, paving the way for more advanced capabilities in PHP 5.
PHP 5.x (2004 - 2014)
- PHP 5.0 (July 2004)
PHP 5 introduced the Zend Engine II, delivering advanced object-oriented programming features such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. PDO simplified database handling with consistent APIs. Enhanced XML support and SOAP made PHP suitable for enterprise-level projects, significantly broadening its appeal.
- PHP 5.1 (November 2005)
Added __autoload() for automatic class loading, reducing boilerplate code. The revamped date/time library introduced timezone support and precision, making working with complex time calculations easier. Performance optimizations improved PHP’s suitability for large-scale applications.
- PHP 5.2 (November 2006)
Brought JSON support for interactive web applications and filter extensions to validate and sanitize user inputs and boost security. Improved memory management reduced resource consumption, and better logging made debugging easier. PHP 5.2 became a cornerstone for modern web apps.
- PHP 5.3 (June 2009)
It is another significant update in the PHP version history. It introduced namespaces for better code organization, closures for anonymous functions, and late static binding for enhanced inheritance. It also deprecated dated, insecure features like magic quotes, encouraging developers to adopt best practices. These updates modernized PHP’s structure.
- PHP 5.4 (March 2012)
Traits allowed code reuse in object-oriented programming. Short array syntax ([]) and a built-in web server improved developer productivity. PHP 5.4 also eliminated outdated features like safe_mode, streamlining PHP’s usability for contemporary projects.
- PHP 5.5 (June 2013)
PHP 5.5 version update emphasized security, performance, and coding efficiency for developers. It added generators for efficient data iteration, the final block for better exception handling, and built-in password hashing for secure authentication systems.
- PHP 5.6 (August 2014)
Variadic functions simplified handling arguments, while constant scalar expressions improved code readability. Enhanced SSL/TLS support ensured secure connections. PHP 5.6 marked the transition to PHP 7, ending major feature updates for PHP 5.
PHP 6.x (Unreleased)
PHP 6 aimed to introduce native Unicode support but faced implementation challenges that hindered performance. After years of development struggles, PHP 6 was abandoned. Many of its features were eventually integrated into PHP 5.3 and 5.4. To avoid confusion, the next major release was PHP 7.
PHP 7.x (2015 - 2019)
- PHP 7.0 (December 2015)
Zend Engine 3.0 delivered up to 2x faster performance with reduced memory usage. PHP 7 introduced scalar type declarations, return types, and the null coalescing (??) and spaceship (<=>) operators. These changes made PHP more efficient and suitable for high-performance web applications.
- PHP 7.1 (December 2016)
Brought nullable types, iterable pseudo-types, and constant visibility modifiers, enhancing code flexibility and readability. Performance improvements and bug fixes made PHP 7.1 a stable choice for developers seeking reliability.
- PHP 7.2 (November 2017)
Improved security with Argon2 password hashing, added object type hints, and introduced enhancements to error handling. These updates ensured better protection and efficiency for applications requiring advanced features.
- PHP 7.3 (December 2018)
Introduced flexible heredoc and nowdoc syntax, simplifying multi-line string handling. JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR improved error management during JSON operations. The is_countable() function streamlined type-checking in collections.
- PHP 7.4 (November 2019)
Typed properties, arrow functions, and preloading improved performance and code efficiency. PHP 7.4 deprecated outdated features, ensuring PHP stayed modern and relevant for evolving development needs.
PHP 8.x (2020 - Present)
- PHP 8.0 (November 2020)
The PHP versions history took a great leap, with this PHP version introducing the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler for improved performance in computationally intensive tasks. Features like union types, match expressions, and attributes streamlined development and modernized PHP for advanced use cases.
- PHP 8.1 (November 2021)
Added enumerations, readonly properties, array unpacking with string keys, and never-returning types. These features refined PHP’s flexibility, security, and capability for enterprise-level applications.
- PHP 8.2 (December 2022)
Brought readonly classes, Disjunctive Normal Form (DNF) types, and enhanced random number generation. Deprecated dynamic properties, promoting cleaner and safer coding practices.
- PHP 8.3 (November 2023)
The PHP 8.3 version introduced readonly array properties, improved random float generation, and enhanced PHP INI reconfigurability. PHP 8.3 made coding more intuitive for developers and optimized overall performance.
- PHP 8.4 (November 2024)
PHP 8.4 is the latest PHP version, released on 21 November 2024. It focuses on performance enhancements and minor feature updates. It also presents advanced array handling and support for complex data types, modernizing PHP further and ensuring it remains competitive for web development.
Source: Orkhan Alishov's notes