[wp-hackers] php -v

[Thomas Scholz]

Andrew Nacin,

> Yeah, no. Nothing is preventing *you* from using newer features you  
> enjoy.

That's not quite true. :)

Basic example: some API providers (Dropbox, Amazon and so on) offer PHP  
classes to access their APIs. Very comfortable, because as a plugin  
developer, you don't have to reinvent the wheel, and these tools are  
usually better tested than a single developer could do. But if they  
require at least PHP 5.3, you cannot use them.
The same applies to almost all existing frameworks and libraries: we  
cannot use that code, because so many users are still on 5.2, and we don't  
want to lose those.

This is not primarily about changes or new features in WP core. But by  
raising the requirements, WP would offer a better environment for plugin  
(and theme) authors. I think the overall code quality would be improved if  
we had not to reinvent everything we need.

This process should not be scary or annoying for the users. Of course. A  
short, nicely written hint would be a good start. Something like: Hey,  
your site would be faster and more secure after an PHP upgrade! _How can I  
do that?_ (helpful link)

Would that hurt anyone? I don't think so.

Thomas