What Needs to Be Considered While Migrating from PHP 4 to PHP 5?

Despite being an open source programming language, PHP is being updated regularly to meet the latest trends in web application development. PHP 5 comes with integrated Zend Engine 2.0. The integration enhances the overall performance and capabilities of PHP. Also, the latest version of the programming language comes with a number of new features. But the team of developers has taken adequate care to improve PHP’s performance and capabilities without breaking the existing code substantially. The developers still have to understand these new features to smoothly migrate from PHP 4 to PHP 5.

Important Features to Consider While Migrating from PHP 4 to PHP 5

Support for MySQL: Unlike PHP 4, PHP 5 does not support MySQL by default. It does not include the --with-mysql option in the configure line. Therefore, the users have to perform the task manually while compiling PHP. Likewise, the MySQL client libraries are also not bundled with the latest version of the programming language. But the programmers now have option to use the Standard PHP Library (SPL) to implement data access interfaces and classes more efficiently.

Revamped Object Model: The version 5.0 of PHP comes with a completely revamped and improved object model. PHP 4 allowed programmers to pass objects by value. But PHP 5 requires everything to be passed by reference. The developers can further write code without using the reference operator (&). While writing code, the programmers also have option to create class constants that work just like defined constants, but their scope is restricted within the class definition.

Visibility of Class Methods and Properties: PHP 5 comes with a fresh feature called visibility of class methods and properties with three distinct levels. When a method is declared public it can be read by everyone. Likewise, the public property can be read or written by anyone. On the other hand, private methods and properties are visible only within the actual class they are part of. But the protected members are visible only to the class they are part of, along with parent classes and subclasses.

Abstract Classes and Interfaces: PHP 5 allows programmers to create abstract classes. The abstract classes can be used to as a model to define other classes. If a particular class contains an abstract method, it also needs to be declared as an abstract class. While declaring an abstract class, the programmers must start the line with “abstract class”. Also, the programmers have option to use interfaces to design an API. The interface will include the methods implemented within a class. But the methods included in the interface must be declared as public.

Standard PHP Library (SPL): The SPL is designed as a set of interfaces for PHP. As the interfaces are labeled as standard, these can be used by programmers to implement better coding practices. The interfaces can be further used to increase the efficiency of data access interfaces and classes. Also, the SPL are compatible with a variety of data aggregate structures. So the programmers can use SPL to manipulate various data sources.

Several New Extensions: PHP 5 also supports a number of new extensions. The programmers can use the extensions to write complex code quickly. SimpleXML aims to effectuate XML data processing, whereas DOM and XSL can be used to use XML easily. At the same time, the Hash extension makes it easier for programmers to access some of the widely used hash functions including md 5 and sha1. Likewise, PDO can be used as an efficient OO to interact with databases.

Most web programmers use PHP frameworks to reduce the overall coding time and effort. There are still a number of PHP-based web application development frameworks that do not support PHP 5. That is why; the users have to check if the frameworks selected by them support the most recent version of the programming language. This would help you leverage the benefits of PHP certified professionals when hiring services of a custom PHP development company in India.

We provide PHP application development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified PHP programmers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.