PHP Core
PHP 8.7 RFC: Comments and Trailing Commas in json_decode()
A new PHP 8.7 RFC adds two opt-in flags that let json_decode() and json_validate() accept // and /* */ comments and a trailing comma.
Eric L. Barnes
PHP Core
The History of PEAR, PHP's First Package Manager
The full story of PEAR, from a 1999 commit to PHP's bundled installer, Composer, the 2019 breach, and the 2026 vote to end PHP's endorsement.
Eric L. Barnes
Developer Tools
elephc: A PHP Compiler That Builds Native Binaries
elephc compiles a static subset of PHP straight to native assembly, with no Zend Engine inside. It's open source, written in Rust, and can even run DOOM.
Eric L. Barnes
PHP Core
PHP 8.6 RC3 is out and ready for testing
PHP 8.6.0 RC3 restores warnings inside fibers on the official Docker images and fixes hrtime() running 4% fast. GA is still set for November 19.
Eric L. Barnes
Developer Tools
Meet PHPMD 3.0: New CLI, New Config, PHP 8 Attributes
PHPMD 3.0 requires PHP 8.1, adds a #[SuppressWarnings] attribute, YAML config with a setup wizard, and parallel parsing, and changes the CLI.
Eric L. Barnes
Packages
LLPhant: Build AI and RAG Apps in PHP
LLPhant connects PHP applications to OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, Ollama, and other models, with embeddings, vector stores, and RAG tools.
Eric L. Barnes
PHP Core
PHP Io\Terminal RFC Proposes Native Terminal Input for CLI
The PHP Io\Terminal RFC proposes native terminal input, raw mode, size queries, and hidden input for CLI applications in PHP 8.7.
Eric L. Barnes
Community
Dutch PHP Conference 2027 Call for Papers Is Open
The Dutch PHP Conference 2027 call for papers is open until December 18. The Amsterdam event runs March 16 to 19 with 30 to 40 speaking slots.
Eric L. Barnes
Community
PHP Foundation Opens 2027 Contractor Applications
The PHP Foundation is hiring contractors to work on php-src in 2027. Applications close October 20, and the role needs C and systems programming experience.
Eric L. Barnes
Packages
Streaming Channels and Agent Memory in Neuron AI 4.0
Neuron AI 4.0 rebuilds the PHP agent framework's workflow engine, adds streaming channels and long-term memory, and drops Guzzle for ext-curl.
Eric L. Barnes
PHP Core
PHP Array Shorthand RFC: Skip the Key When It Matches
The Array Variable Shorthand RFC would let PHP 8.7 write [=$name] instead of ['name' => $name]. Internals is split on whether it needs new syntax.
Eric L. Barnes
Developer Tools
Packagist Turns 15 With Over 200 Billion Composer Installs
Packagist marks 15 years since monolog/monolog became package ID 1, with 469,000+ packages, 200 billion Composer installs, and record growth in 2026.
Eric L. Barnes