[wp-hackers] WordPress 3.1 Requirements

[Eric Mann]

PHP 4.3+ is a requirement for WordPress to operate, but some features will
still be incompatible with those versions of PHP.  I can confirm that
automatic updates fail for PHP < 5 on at least GoDaddy, 1and1 and
MediaTemple.  However, WordPress still works just fine and you can still
perform a manual (FTP) update.

At the same time, it is possible in almost all cases to upgrade your hosting
from PHP4 to PHP5.

   - Godaddy:
   http://www.ardamis.com/2009/07/25/upgrading-godaddy-hosting-to-php-5-x-from-php-4-3-11/
   - 1and1: http://faq.1and1.com/scripting_languages_supported/php/5.html
   - MediaTemple:
   http://kb.mediatemple.net/questions/244/How+can+I+specify+the+version+of+php+for+web+applications+on+the+(gs)+Grid-Service%3F

PHP4 compatibility has been maintained for so long with WordPress for people
who aren't able to upgrade their PHP installation, either because they don't
know how or because their hosts don't allow it.  With just about any
mainstream web host, though, it's possible to upgrade almost instantaneously
by selecting a toggle somewhere, changing your .htaccess file, or adding a
line to php.ini.  In any case, the upgrade to PHP5 takes less time than the
automatic update does in WordPress - if you can, do it.

But the actual system requirements for a new installation of WordPress are
the same: PHP 4.3 and MySQL 4.1.2.

On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 7:35 AM, Brian Layman <bulk at thecodecave.com> wrote:

> On 12/16/2010 10:29 AM, Chris Williams wrote:
>
>> In my experience, this is not entirely true.  I've recently discovered
>> that automatic updates don't work for PHP<  5.x.  While I've noted it in the
>> Codex, it's not clear if this is a bug or a feature.
>>
>>  I can't imagine that's a feature, if the requirement is 4.3+ . I've sent
> a note to wp-testers. Maybe we can get someone to second that.
> --
>
> *Brian Layman *
>
> Founder and Developer
> brian at ehermitsInc.com <mailto:brian at ehermitsInc.com>
> twitter: @brianlayman
>
> *eHermits Inc.*
>
> http://eHermitsInc.com <http://ehermitsinc.com/>
>
>
>
> Cell: 330-887-2283
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> wp-hackers mailing list
> wp-hackers at lists.automattic.com
> http://lists.automattic.com/mailman/listinfo/wp-hackers
>