PHP: The “RPG” of Open Source for IBM i

Reliable. Versatile. Fast. The terms we use to describe modern RPG applications apply to PHP as well. That’s why PHP remains a top choice to supplement RPG for IBM i projects involving the web, APIs, and high-volume transactions.

One sterling example is Curbstone’s PCI-validated payment solution, which uses PHP-based portals to process over 8 billion dollars in credit card payments annually with 99.99% uptime availability.

Andrew Nicholson of Proximity Group recently interviewed Alan about the value of PHP for IBM i applications. Andy featured their discussion in the following issue of his IBM i Update.

The video starts with Andy summarizing Alan’s list of top PHP features before opening the discussion with Alan. The timestamps below allow you to navigate directly to specific topics.

Timestamps

0:24  What’s new and exciting in PHP on IBM i in 2024
5:09  Discussing the power of PHP with Alan Seiden
6:16  Why is PHP better than Python or Node.js for IBM i users?
7:49  How fast can you develop in PHP?
9:07  Success stories of PHP on the IBM i
10:19  How does PHP integrate with IBM i tools such as RPG and CL?
11:36  How does PHP compare to RPG when it comes to functionality?
13:00  How easy is it for RPG developers to adapt to PHP?
14:41  Is the transition from RPG to PHP smooth?
16:27  How active is the PHP community when it comes to developing in the IBM i?
18:21  Performance and Security – how does PHP handle this on the IBM i?
19:39  What are the most exciting tools and frameworks for PHP on the IBM i?
20:38  How do you see PHP evolving on the IBM i?
22:16  What future trends should IBM i users keep their eye on?
23:27  Real-world implementation of developing in PHP on the IBM i with Pete Samways from StreamTech
24:24  Why did you develop on the IBM i using PHP?
25:45  How did you integrate IBM i with PHP and what were the challenges?
27:33  Is it easy using a DB2 database with PHP?
28:04  Were there some common challenges for developing PHP on the IBM i?
28:45  What repositories and frameworks would you recommend for PHP on the IBM i?
30:44  How does PHP perform under pressure on the IBM i?
32:29  Does PHP offer advantages over other languages on the IBM i?
33:37  How does PHP and IBM i provide security benefits to businesses?
34:46  Do customers know that the platform is running on the IBM i?
35:25  Best practices for PHP developers on the IBM i
37:36  Will PHP evolve on the IBM i?

You can subscribe to Andy’s IBM i Update newsletter here. To learn more about how PHP can enhance your specific business applications, contact Alan.