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phpphp-internals

Where can I learn about PHP internals?


What are good resources to start learning the internals of PHP and the Zend Engine?


Solution

  • The PHP Manual has a (sadly mostly empty) chapter on PHP internals.

    The main development mailing list is [email protected]. You can sign up via php.net and/or use Markmail to search the archives.

    The git repository for PHP is located on git.php.net, but there is also a mirror on GitHub.

    For browsing the source code you should use the lxr.php.net cross reference tool.

    The PHP wiki has a list of various resources on PHP development (blog posts, books, slides, etc).

    In particular there is an (older) book by Sara Golemon: Extending and Embedding PHP.

    A more current and ongoing effort is http://www.phpinternalsbook.com

    If you have questions, you should try the #php.pecl room on efnet.


    Also see this presentation by Sebastian Bergmann about Compiler Internals:

    And make sure to check Nikic's blog. He's got a number of posts on how to read the source:

    In addition to that, you can check the PHP Credits for individual contributers:

    A number of them run their own blogs which might contain more information.