Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

artagesw · 2009-07-16 18:54:14

An important core goal of Textpattern is to run as light as possible and to be compatible with the widest possible range of web hosts. To this end, Textpattern imposes very modest system requirements on the user. The core code still runs well under PHP 4.3+ and MySQL 3.23+.

In my view, it is finally time to ratchet up the requirements a notch. Here are a few of the more important reasons:

1. Security. PHP 4 reached end of life 18 months ago. As of 08-08-2008, all development of PHP 4 ceased, including critical security fixes. MySQL 3 development similarly ceased long ago. By requiring a current supported release of these core dependencies, we will be encouraging the Textpattern community to run on more capable and secure installations.

2. Ease of Development. As Textpattern grows, it becomes increasingly time-consuming and difficult to develop for, test under and support multiple versions of PHP and MySQL. Additionally, there are potential feature additions that are either significantly more difficult or impossible to implement on older versions.

3. Performance & Capabilities. The object-oriented capabilities of PHP 5 are much more capable and higher-performing than those in PHP 4. We would like to be able to take greater advantage of these features as we move Textpattern development forward, but we are currently hampered by PHP 4 deficiencies in this respect.

I would like to propose that we formally increase Textpattern’s system requirements to PHP 5+ and MySQL 4.1+ (or even 5.0+).

I know in the past there have been arguments that PHP 5 is not widely supported by web hosts, but that has not been the case for some time now. In fact, I would be quite suspicious of the policies of any web host that had not updated its software stack in nearly two years.

So, I put it out there to you the Textpattern users. Please state your arguments, both for and against. Let the arrows fly!

jsoo · 2009-07-16 19:22:55

I am entirely in favor of bringing the requirements up to date as suggested. I realize there are users who are using shoddy web hosts who don’t offer recent versions of PHP or MySQL, but is it really worth holding back Txp development just to accommodate these few cases? Especially if this could have an effect on security.

FireFusion · 2009-07-16 19:35:40

I also completely in favor of this. PHP5 is standard now on pretty much every webhost out there. I see no need to hold TXP back for just a few people.

jstubbs · 2009-07-16 20:17:14

Good idea.

jakob · 2009-07-16 21:02:13

I concur too but should note that I have several shared accounts on a standard German hoster that are on MySQL 4.1 and not 5.

Gocom · 2009-07-16 21:24:30

Good idea.

It brings more possiblities to plugin area too, and less complaining (including useless problem diagnostics).

Why the f**** plugin requires PHP5 when TXP runs on 4?

Last edited by Gocom (2009-07-16 21:26:31)

Zanza · 2009-07-16 23:11:22

At the moment I have 9 txp sites running. Here are the settings:

1. Php 5.2.5 – Mysql 3.23.57-max
2. Php 4.4.9 – Mysql 5.0.81-community
3. Php 4.4.9 – Mysql 5.0.81-community
4. Php 5.2.9 – Mysql 5.0.68-log
5. Php 4.3.9 – Mysql 4.1.16-standard-log
6. Php 4.4.8 – Mysql 4.1.22-standard-log
7. Php 4.4.9 – Mysql 4.0.30-standard-log
8. Php 5.2.9 – Mysql 5.0.68-log
9. Php 4.3.10-22 – Mysql 4.1.11-Debian_4sarge8-log

You can see 3 out of 9 php 5, and 7 out of 9 mysql > 4.1.

I think there could still be a problem for most legacy sites. Maybe some hosting provider may upgrade on request. Anyway, mysql is more upgraded than php. The majority of php seems still stick to 4.x.

Just my two numbers…

Z-

Logoleptic · 2009-07-16 23:35:23

Sounds reasonable, though last time I checked there were still a lot of web hosts using MySQL 4.x.

As for OO Txp, I had an idea last year for how the plugin system could be improved through object orientation. Something to think about, anyway.

P.S. Welcome to the dev team, Sam. :)

maverick · 2009-07-17 00:07:06

+1 for bring the requirements up.

Why? Moving forward requires letting somethings go.

jsoo · 2009-07-17 00:18:41

Zanza wrote:

I think there could still be a problem for most legacy sites. Maybe some hosting provider may upgrade on request. Anyway, mysql is more upgraded than php. The majority of php seems still stick to 4.x.

It’s a tradeoff, to be sure. But in line with Sam’s points, the burden of maintaining compatibility with legacy hosting providers would then fall on those Txp pros with such clients. Not that one wants to alienate such Txp users, but on the other hand a move to more PHP5 OOP code may bring in some new enthusiasm and new blood. I think the time is right, and that it’s a fair tradeoff.

Last edited by jsoo (2009-07-17 00:18:54)

RalphFFM · 2009-07-17 07:52:17

Please, please, please increase system requirements! Thx many times.

Bloke · 2009-07-17 08:12:51

I agree it’s the way to go too.

But, a bit like Zanza, all of my sites would (currently) be alienated by such a move because — for whatever reason — my “shoddy” web hoster still has PHP 4.4.8 and MSQL 4.1.22-standard installed on cpanel10. I can choose PHP5 by adding a line to my .htaccess, which I’ve been doing for a good few years now. But with MySQL I have no other options.

I’ve asked them if they can move my account to a newer server/environment. Whether such an environment exists or not remains to be seen. It’d be a shame to have to move my entire operation lock stock to a new host, especially since the customer service I get from these guys is the best I’ve ever known — customer service is a real lottery on the bigger players. But if TXP goes 5 and my current host continue to drag their feet I’ll have no choice.

EDIT: they have servers running the latest versions, yay!

Last edited by Bloke (2009-07-17 12:36:30)

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#1 2009-07-16 18:54:14

Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#2 2009-07-16 19:22:55

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#3 2009-07-16 19:35:40

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#4 2009-07-16 20:17:14

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#5 2009-07-16 21:02:13

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#6 2009-07-16 21:24:30

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#7 2009-07-16 23:11:22

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#8 2009-07-16 23:35:23

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#9 2009-07-17 00:07:06

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#10 2009-07-17 00:18:41

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#11 2009-07-17 07:52:17

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

#12 2009-07-17 08:12:51

Re: Evolving Textpattern System Requirements - An Informal Poll

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