PHP 8.3 vs 7.2

[joshg]

I'm running Xenforo 2.3... and admin panel says my PHP is 7.2.34 when recommended is v8.3

If I switch to 8.3 at my host, will I notice any issues with the changeover, or any configuration stuff I'd need to change at the same time to be operational?
Will 8.3 be noticeably faster for my small forum? (2,400 members / 6,000 threads / 61,000 messages)

Any other reason I should NOT upgrade... or conversely why i should URGENTLY upgrade?

thanks!

 

[Chromaniac]

practically speaking, you might not notice any speed change. but if your board works as expected with add-ons working and performance comparable to before, best to use the latest supported version of software stack for your board.

 

[joshg]

thanks. do i need to bring down my forum to switch the php version at my host? or can i just choose the latest version at my host with no config changes or needing to bring down forum before the switch?

 

[Chromaniac]

That would depend upon your hosting panel. Could be as simple as just selecting new php version and press submit in cpanel. And it does the needful. It's generally instant so no downtime is required.

Check with your host if you are not clear how to switch php version on your account. In any case take a backup if you have an option for that though PHP change won't make any change to your actual website data.

 

[joshg]

thanks. I do know how to pick the PHP version from my host via cpanel. Just didn't know if switching it on a live server would cause problems.

 

[Chromaniac]

Shouldn't! I have switched php version at my end over the years as xenforo increased support and it has been without any issues.

 

[Paul B]

Ensure the 8.3 build has all of the required modules - make a note of what is enabled for the current build.