Zend, PHP 3X, etc.

[CoreIssue]

EDIT to correct: PHP 5.3, not 3X.

I have a number of decisions to make in the remainder of this year, so some questions.

Definitely not an expert, but I know XF uses Zend, PHP 3X does not support Zend, an old vB script I have will not work with PHP 3X, some other newer programs will not work on less the PHP 3X, etc.

Obviously, I have to make some choices for the future.

So, regarding XF, any opinions from the pros here where XF stands in all the changing realities? Where is PHP heading regarding Zend?

Your opinions are appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

[TPerry]

I have a number of decisions to make in the remainder of this year, so some questions.

Definitely not an expert, but I know XF uses Zend, PHP 3X does not support Zend, an old vB script I have will not work with PHP 3X, some other newer programs will not work on less the PHP 3X, etc.

Obviously, I have to make some choices for the future.

So, regarding XF, any opinions from the pros here where XF stands in all the changing realities? Where is PHP heading regarding Zend?

Your opinions are appreciated and thanks in advance.

Considering that PHP is currently at around 5.1.15, I think it's time to update some scripts or dump them.
I think you may have made a typo as most of the modern scripts will not work on 3.x releases.

 

[CoreIssue]

Ah, you are correct. 5.3, not 3X. Don't know where my mind was on that one.

I know my server host is running 5.2 and I can switch to 5.3, which is minimum for at least one script I am looking at.

5.3 does not support Zend. Nor will my old vB 3.8.2 work on 5.3.

 

[TPerry]

Ah, you are correct. 5.3, not 3X. Don't know where my mind was on that one.

I know my server host is running 5.2 and I can switch to 5.3, which is minimum for at least one script I am looking at.

5.3 does not support Zend. Nor will my old vB 3.8.2 work on 5.3.

If I am understanding you correctly, then I do think that Zend supports up to 5.4 http://www.zend.com/en/solutions/php-5-4/.

 

[CoreIssue]

For PHP 5.2 and lower it uses Zend Optimizer. For 5.3 Zend Guard and for 5.4 Zend Studio. Different software.

 

[xf_phantom]

wtf

Zend Optimizer != Zend Guard != Zend Studio != Zend Framework != Zend Framework Components (which are used in XF)


you don't need anything from your list to run xenforo

 

[TPerry]

wtf

Zend Optimizer != Zend Guard != Zend Studio != Zend Framework != Zend Framework Components (which are used in XF)


you don't need anything from your list to run xenforo

That's what had me confused (which is easily done right now - been up again now for 21 hours). It runs just fine as is on the latest stable release of PHP for Debian.

 

[CoreIssue]

Well, as I said, I am not an expert. BUT, if you Google "zend not working on php 5.3" you will see people lost Zend applications when the servers went 5.3. One quote was:

Zend encoded scripts for < php 5.3 will not work with php 5.3. Zend have cofirmed developers will have to re-encode for 5.3 using their original source files.

As well, in your link, it most assuredly states different Zend applications for 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 if you click the "older versions" link.

Obviously there isn't one blanket answer to cover it all. But it does appear on the server side there are 3 distinct Zend applications. On the software we run it depends on the Zend Framework coding, it appears.

So, I don't know and that is why I asked. I do know I will loose my vB 3.8.2 script if I want to run the other script I was looking at. That is a given.

Seems to be a lot of variables.

 

[Chris D]

XenForo uses parts of Zend Framework. Zend Framework is compatible with certainly PHP 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5. Probably earlier versions too.

Zend Framework is not something that needs to be installed - it's just a collection of PHP functions that can be used (or not, as the case is with most of XenForo) to enhance or otherwise replace writing your own functions.

You will have no issues running XenForo on your server.

Where you might be getting conflicting information, however, is that Zend (which is effectively a company/developer) has a number of products. Zend Optimizer, Zend Guard, Zend Server, Zend Studio etc.

None of those products are required for XenForo to function, none of those products are included in Zend Framework. Not all of them will work with older versions of PHP but that doesn't matter because they aren't a prerequisite to use XenForo or Zend Framework.

 

[CoreIssue]

Thank you for that answer. Clear and understandable.

 

[Adam Howard]

I would suggest php 5.4

It's overall backward compatible with php 5.5, which is due to be released soon.
Release Candidate 2 was released last week http://php.net/archive/2013.php#id2013-05-23-1

Updating to php 5.4 will better ready you for the move to 5.5 should the need come up later.

And as suggested, it maybe time to update some of those scripts of yours.

 

[CoreIssue]

My server host offers up to 5.3. Currently 5.2.

As said, I know my vB script is going to be history, but right now I have it tied up in a very special usage, so it will be November or December before I can make the move up.

That leaves just one other decision to make, which I will make at that time.