PHP 7.4 was released on November 28, 2019, and has since been widely used by developers around the world. It brought with it a host of new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes that have helped developers build faster, more efficient web applications. However, all good things must come to an end, and PHP 7.4 is no exception. On November 28, 2022, PHP 7.4 will reach its end of life (EOL) and will no longer receive support from the PHP development team. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what this means for developers and how to prepare for the upcoming changes.
What is End of Life (EOL)?
End of life (EOL) is the point in time when a product or software version is no longer supported by its creators. This means that there will be no further updates, security patches, or bug fixes for that version, leaving users vulnerable to potential security threats and other issues.
In the case of PHP 7.4, the EOL date is November 28, 2022. This means that after this date, the PHP development team will no longer provide any support for PHP 7.4, and users will be on their own.
What does this mean for developers?
For developers who are still using PHP 7.4, the end of life means that they will no longer receive any support or updates from the PHP development team. This can result in several issues, including:
Security vulnerabilities – With no more security updates, developers will be left vulnerable to potential security threats.
Compatibility issues – As new software versions are released, compatibility issues may arise with PHP 7.4.
No bug fixes – Any bugs or issues that arise with PHP 7.4 will not be fixed by the PHP development team.
How to Prepare for the End of Life?
To prepare for the end of life of PHP 7.4, developers have several options:
Upgrade to a newer version – The best way to prepare for the end of life of PHP 7.4 is to upgrade to a newer version. PHP 8.0 was released on November 26, 2020, and is the latest version of PHP. Developers can start planning their migration to PHP 8.0 or even to the latest version of PHP 8.2.
Use a third-party support service – Another option is to use a third-party support service that provides security patches and updates for PHP 7.4. However, this may not be a long-term solution, as the support services may also stop supporting PHP 7.4.
Take extra security measures – If developers cannot upgrade or use a third-party support service, they can take extra security measures to protect their PHP 7.4 applications. This can include monitoring for security vulnerabilities, implementing stricter access controls, and using security plugins.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the end of life of PHP 7.4 is approaching, and developers need to start planning for the future. Upgrading to a newer version of PHP is the best solution, but there are other options available as well. Whatever the decision, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure the security and stability of PHP applications.