PHP6 is about to make OPCode caching mechanism build into Zend Engine, without question this will improve PHP dramatically.But I have a radical thought: why not to directly run ZIC(Zend Intermediate Code) files that have been compiled instead of handling PHP source scripts. Just like a execrutable code that don't need C source to run. In addition,I think you even don't need the first compiling of a PHP file that the PHP scripts is cached.And we can make the PHP Compiler out of Zend Engine,Then we can develop and optimize the PHP application according to it.As a result,Zend Engine just need to run the ZIC.By the way ,if Zend Engine have to do the compiling work,that is because you need to keep the old running mode go on for compatability.
Benefits of my thought: Firstly, except of compiling and caching ,the performance of PHP application will be improved significantly. Secondly,we can set several language extension easily,such as #define¡¢#ifdef¡¢#ifndef and so on.This can help us to develop PHP application that is compatable for different PHP version,including Standard¡¢ Professional version that have different funcion. Thirdly, independent compiler will do good to PHP opitimizer to implement its work. At last, this will protect PHP source scripts. After all,what we need to do is just to define a good format of ZIC File. -- PHP Internals - PHP Runtime Development Mailing List To unsubscribe, visit: http://www.php.net/unsub.php
