Unlocking the Power of PHP Code Downgrading
As a long-time advocate for downgrading PHP code, I’ve discovered a game-changing tool that allows me to utilize the latest PHP version while deploying it to environments that require legacy PHP versions. This feat is made possible by Rector, a revolutionary tool that reconstructs PHP code based on rules. By leveraging Rector, I’ve been able to incorporate modern features like typed properties, union types, and arrow functions into my WordPress plugin, making it accessible to a staggering 85% of WordPress sites running PHP 7.1 and above.
Introducing Phabel: A New Contender in PHP Code Downgrading
Recently, I stumbled upon Phabel, a tool specifically designed for transpiling PHP code. Phabel’s approach is distinct from Rector’s, and I was intrigued to explore its capabilities and compare it to Rector. In this article, I’ll delve into the differences between these two tools and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
When to Use Phabel and Rector
Phabel is dedicated to downgrading PHP code, whereas Rector is a programmable tool that can convert PHP code from any state to any other state. Rector offers a broader range of features, including modernizing PHP code, improving code quality, and renaming functions. Phabel, on the other hand, is tailored for downgrading PHP code, making it a potential replacement for Rector in specific use cases.
How Rector and Phabel Downgrade Code
Rector relies on Composer to generate a standalone executable, which can be invoked in various environments. In contrast, Phabel uses a two-stage approach: a standalone executable that tags the repo to be downgraded, followed by a Composer script that executes the downgrade. While Phabel’s approach may seem simpler, it has its drawbacks.
The Drawbacks of Phabel
Phabel’s downgrading process runs on the client-side, which can lead to issues and failures. Additionally, the same library will be downgraded multiple times, consuming processing power and transferring the waiting time to every user of the library. This approach can result in energy consumption that’s 5000 times bigger than downgrading the library at the origin.
Extensibility and Reliability
Phabel’s downgrading capabilities are limited, and it doesn’t support custom downgrades or attributes. In contrast, Rector handles extensibility much better, providing a rule-based architecture that allows for custom rules and execution of downgrade logic in the CI process.
The Verdict
While Phabel shows promise, Rector is currently the more reliable and extensible option. Phabel’s integration with Composer is impressive, but its limitations and drawbacks hold it back. Nevertheless, with continued development, Phabel has the potential to become a great library. As it stands, Rector remains the superior choice for downgrading PHP code.