PHP Versions: A Complete Guide from PHP 3 to PHP 8.4
Senior WebCoder
PHP has been one of the most influential languages in web development for more than two decades. Understanding different PHP versions is important because each release introduces performance improvements, new features, and stronger security.
From PHP 3 in 1998 to the latest PHP 8.4 in 2024, the language has continued to evolve. As a result, developers can now build faster and more reliable applications. In this guide, we’ll explore the history of PHP versions, highlight their most important changes, and provide clear recommendations for your projects.
PHP Versions Timeline
| Version | Release Year | Key Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| PHP 1 (Personal Home Page Tools) | 1995 | Never officially released |
| PHP 2 (PHP/FI 2) | 1997 | Limited release, not widely adopted |
| PHP 3 | 1998 | First widely-used version; modular and extensible |
| PHP 4 | 2000 | Zend Engine, sessions, output buffering, improved OOP |
| PHP 5 | 2004 | Full OOP, PDO database layer, exceptions |
| PHP 7 | 2015 | Major speed boost, scalar typing, modern operators |
| PHP 8.0 | 2020 | JIT compiler, union types, match expression |
| PHP 8.1 | 2021 | Fibers, readonly props, intersection types |
| PHP 8.2 | 2022 | Read-only classes, DNF types, stricter typing |
| PHP 8.3 | 2023 | Async improvements, JIT engine upgrades |
| PHP 8.4 (Latest Stable) | 2024 | Property hooks, lazy objects, asymmetric visibility |
Early PHP Versions: PHP 3 and PHP 4
PHP 3 (1998) became the first stable version to gain real adoption. It introduced a modular design that allowed extensions and made PHP flexible for developers.
PHP 4 (2000) was more powerful because of the Zend Engine. In addition, it brought sessions for managing user logins, output buffering for cleaner HTML control, and basic object-oriented programming (OOP).
➡️ Older apps that still run on PHP 3 or 4 should be upgraded immediately. These versions are outdated and lack security updates.
PHP 5: Bringing Full OOP (2004)
The release of PHP 5 marked a turning point.
- Full OOP support with inheritance, interfaces, and visibility control.
- PDO (PHP Data Objects) provided a consistent and secure way to handle databases.
- Exceptions improved error handling dramatically.
Because of these changes, frameworks like Symfony and Zend gained traction. Moreover, developers could now build more structured and enterprise-ready applications.
PHP 7: A Performance Revolution (2015)
After PHP 6 was abandoned, PHP jumped directly to version 7. This release was transformative.
- It ran twice as fast as PHP 5 in most benchmarks.
- Scalar type declarations introduced better type safety.
- New operators simplified code:
- Null coalescing (
??) for default values. - Spaceship (
<=>) for comparisons.
- Null coalescing (
In addition, PHP 7 used less memory, making websites more efficient. Many developers viewed it as the rebirth of PHP. However, since official support is ending, migrations to PHP 8 are strongly recommended.
PHP 8.x: The Modern Era
PHP 8.0 (2020)
- Introduced JIT (Just-in-Time compilation) for faster execution.
- Added union types for flexible type hints.
- Brought match expressions as a cleaner
switchalternative. - Included attributes for structured metadata.
PHP 8.1 (2021)
- Added Fibers for concurrency.
- Brought readonly properties for safer objects.
- Introduced intersection types.
PHP 8.2 (2022)
- Read-only classes made objects more secure.
- DNF types offered advanced type handling.
- Deprecated dynamic properties in classes.
PHP 8.3 (2023)
- Improved the JIT engine further.
- Added more reliable async programming features.
- Enhanced error handling mechanisms.
PHP 8.4 (2024, Latest Stable)
- Introduced property hooks for controlling property access.
- Allowed asymmetric visibility for read/write operations.
- Added lazy objects to optimize performance.
- Extended PDO with driver-specific classes.
- Improved HTML5 DOM support for modern web standards.
Choosing the Right PHP Version
When choosing a PHP version for your project:
- 🔒 Security: Always use actively supported releases.
- 🚀 Performance: PHP 7 and later are significantly faster than older versions.
- 🔗 Compatibility: Check CMS or framework requirements before upgrading.
Recommendations by Project Type
| Project Type | Recommended PHP Version | Why |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress Sites | PHP 8.1 or 8.2 | Widely supported and stable |
| E-commerce Platforms | PHP 8.2 or 8.4 | Best mix of performance and security |
| Legacy Applications | PHP 7.4 | Short-term use only; migrate soon |
| New Projects | PHP 8.4 | Latest features and optimizations |
Did You Know?
PHP started in 1995 when Rasmus Lerdorf wrote simple C programs to manage his website. Over time, these tools grew into a scripting language. Today, PHP powers more than 75% of websites with a known backend.
Frameworks such as Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter thrive because of PHP’s evolution. In short, the language has grown from a small project into a global standard for web applications.
Conclusion
PHP has evolved from a basic scripting tool into a modern, high-performance language.
- PHP 3–5 → Legacy, no longer safe.
- PHP 7 → Brought speed but nearing end of support.
- PHP 8.1/8.2 → Reliable and balanced choices.
- PHP 8.4 → The best option for new projects.
Therefore, keeping your applications updated with the latest PHP versions ensures stronger security, better performance, and long-term support.
🔗 Next Steps & Practical Examples
Now that you understand PHP versions, here are some practical examples of what you can do next:
- 🛠 Set up a LAMP Stack → Follow our guide on installing LAMP in Ubuntu to prepare your server for PHP development.
- 🌍 Create a WordPress Website → WordPress recommends PHP 8.1+ for maximum compatibility and speed. Start your project with the right PHP version.
- 🚀 Explore PHP Frameworks → Try Laravel (PHP 8.2+) or Symfony (PHP 8.3+) to experience modern PHP features in real-world applications.
👉 Whichever project you choose, always make sure your hosting provider and CMS/plugins are fully compatible with the PHP version you select.