Why not PHP 5?

Illia asks - Why are you not using PHP 5?

Its got more to do with linux distributions then it does php itself!

Lets check out RHEL, or its Free brother Centos, What version of php to they include? PHP 4.x, you will not see php 5 in either until the next major release of RHEL and Centos 5.

Why? These are considered "enterpise" level OS's. They only provide bug fixes and minor upgrades, all major upgrades of any software are held until the next major release.

What does this mean? It means there customers can be reasonably assured they can upgrade there system without fear of things breaking.

In a enterprise world thats great, in the php world its slowing things down greatly!

What helped php 4's adoption? Try finding an RPM or package of PHP 3, there are not a lot.. Most people who had php installed, installed it by hand due to need. It wasn't really until the event of PHP 4 that it became a "required" staple of the hosting enviroment.

If you think I am farsided by not considering other Linux releases, Check out Debian, PHP4 is in there "stable" release, php5 is in there "unstable" release... Large companies do not like the word "Unstable" and tend to shy away from those releases...

Once the major Distros all have php 5 in there enterprise/stable packages php5 "install" base will skyrocket.

When will that happen? RHEL 5 is expected first part of next year, Centos will follow, If someone closer to the Debian crowd could comment on PHP 5 moving to stable.

Matter fact I welcome any one within any of the Distro's to email me what the current status of php5 in there distro is and I will post the results later in the week.