PHP, which originally stood for Personal Home Page, was created by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994 as a set of scripts to help manage his personal website. As it evolved, PHP became the Hypertext Preprocessor we know today, serving as one of the most widely used server-side scripting languages in web development. From powering simple blogs to complex e-commerce platforms, PHP’s influence on the internet is undeniable, with around 77.5% of all websites using some version of it .
Fast forward yesterday, PHP 8.3 was released, bringing with it performance enhancements and a slew of new features aimed at modernising the language even further.
What’s New in PHP 8.3?
1. Performance Improvements
• PHP 8.3 delivers even better performance, making web applications load faster and run more efficiently. This is especially beneficial for high-traffic websites that depend on speed.
2. Readonly Properties in Classes
• Developers can now declare class properties as readonly, ensuring that once a property is set, it cannot be modified. This can lead to more secure and predictable code.
3. JSON Handling Enhancements
• With JSON_THROW_ON_ERROR set as the default, dealing with JSON becomes safer and more predictable. Instead of silently failing, the function will throw an exception if something goes wrong, making debugging simpler.
4. New Utility Functions
• The addition of functions like json_validate() makes working with JSON data easier, while syntax improvements streamline the coding process.
Should You Upgrade Your Website to PHP 8.3?
Upgrading to PHP 8.3 offers substantial performance and security benefits, but not all websites are ready to make the switch immediately. Here’s what to consider:
1. CMS and Plugin Compatibility
• Before upgrading, ensure that your CMS (like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal) and its essential plugins support PHP 8.3. Developers may need time to update their software for full compatibility.
• Tip: If you’re heavily dependent on third-party plugins, delaying the upgrade until compatibility is confirmed could save you from potential issues.
2. Testing Environment
• Always test PHP 8.3 in a staging environment before updating your live site. This way, you can identify and fix any issues without disrupting your users’ experience.
3. End-of-Life Considerations
• PHP 8.2: Active support until December 8, 2025, with security updates until December 8, 2026.
• PHP 8.3: Active support ends December 2024, with security support lasting until December 2025 .
Conclusion: If your website’s infrastructure supports PHP 8.3 and you have the resources to test thoroughly, upgrading is a wise move. However, for more complex setups, waiting for broader compatibility might be the better option.
Need help upgrading? We’re here to help. Reach out to our team to find out more.
