If you are a WordPress user, you might wonder which PHP version is best for your website. PHP is a scripting language that WordPress is built on, which means that the PHP version you use can have a big impact on your website’s performance and security.
In this blog post, we will explore different PHP versions and their compatibility with WordPress to help you make an informed decision. Additionally, if you’re in Chennai and looking to enhance your PHP skills, consider exploring PHP Training in Chennai at FITA Academy to gain valuable insights into the language and its applications.
PHP Versions
PHP 5.6
PHP 5.6 was a popular choice for WordPress users until it reached its end of life in December 2018. This means it no longer receives security updates, making it a risky choice for your website. However, if you are using an old WordPress version, it might still be compatible with PHP 5.6.
PHP 7.0
PHP 7.0 was released in December 2015 and significantly improved on PHP 5.6 in terms of speed and performance. It was also the first version to introduce the null coalescing operator, a handy feature for developers. However, just like PHP 5.6, PHP 7.0 reached its end of life in December 2018, so it’s not a recommended choice for your WordPress website.
PHP 7.1
PHP 7.1 was released in December 2016 and is currently the minimum PHP version required to run WordPress. It offers improved performance and better security features than its predecessors. It’s also a long-term support (LTS) version, meaning it will receive security updates until December 2019 and critical bug fixes until December 2021.
PHP 7.2
PHP 7.2 was released in November 2017 and is another LTS version of PHP. It offers even better performance than PHP 7.1 and includes new features such as object type hints and the ability to convert numeric strings to integers. If you’re interested in mastering PHP, consider exploring PHP Classes to deepen your understanding of the language and its latest features.
PHP 7.3
PHP 7.3 is the latest stable version of PHP, released in December 2018. It includes new features such as flexible heredoc and nowdoc syntax and improved performance over PHP 7.2. It’s also an LTS version, which will receive security updates until December 2021 and critical bug fixes until December 2023.
Which PHP Version Should You Choose?
If you are using an outdated version of WordPress, you might be limited to using PHP 5.6 or PHP 7.0. However, if you are using a WordPress version compatible with PHP 7.1 or higher, we recommend that you use the latest stable version of PHP.
Using the latest version of PHP will give your WordPress website the best performance and security. However, some WordPress plugins might not be compatible with certain PHP versions, so you should always check the plugin’s documentation before upgrading your PHP version.
In conclusion, choosing the right PHP version for your WordPress website is crucial for its performance and security. While PHP 5.6 and PHP 7.0 were popular choices in the past, they have reached their end of life and are no longer recommended. PHP 7.1 and higher are the best choices for your WordPress website, with PHP 7.3 being the latest stable version and offering the best performance and security. Enrolling in Training Institute in Chennai to gain valuable insights into PHP development and best practices.
