WP Engine Offers Extended Support for PHP 7.4

The End of Life of PHP 7.4: What It Means for WordPress Users

In late November 2022, PHP 7.4, a community-supported version of the popular coding language, reached its End of Life (EOL). This significant event marked the cessation of bug fixes, security patches, and critical updates for PHP 7.4 by the team of PHP developers responsible for its maintenance. In this article, we will explore the implications of PHP 7.4’s EOL status and its impact on WordPress users. We’ll also delve into how to check your PHP version, extended support options for WP Engine and Flywheel customers, and the benefits of upgrading to PHP 8.2.

1. Understanding PHP 7.4’s End of Life

On November 28, 2022, PHP 7.4 officially reached End of Life (EOL). For PHP users, this means that the dedicated team of developers responsible for maintaining PHP versions ceased providing crucial support, including bug fixes and security updates. PHP follows a standard support timeline, offering two years of active support after the initial release and complete deprecation after three years. However, PHP 7.4’s EOL presents a unique challenge, as WordPress and several themes and plugins are not yet fully compatible with newer PHP versions, particularly PHP 8.0 and above.

2. Checking Your PHP Version

Before taking any actions regarding your PHP version, it’s essential to determine which version your website currently uses. Ensuring you have the right information is crucial for making informed decisions about upgrades and support options. Checking your PHP version is a straightforward process that can be done through your hosting provider’s dashboard or by consulting with your web developer.

3. Extended Support for WP Engine and Flywheel Customers

While the recommended course of action for all WordPress users is to upgrade to the latest versions of WordPress and PHP, WP Engine and Flywheel recognize that doing so immediately might introduce critical errors on websites. WP Engine is committed to preventing customers from running unsupported PHP versions, which can expose websites to security risks. To address this, WP Engine has invested in ongoing security support for PHP 7.4. This initiative allows all WP Engine and Flywheel customers to continue using PHP 7.4 through 2024 while maintaining the security of their sites and the platform. Currently, this is the only offering of extended PHP 7.4 support by a managed platform provider.

4. The Transition Period and Benefits of Extended PHP 7.4 Support

Although there is no fixed deadline for customers to migrate away from PHP 7.4, the extended support period provides users, the broader WordPress community, and individual plugin and theme developers with valuable time to address compatibility issues. WP Engine acknowledges the challenges associated with PHP compatibility and sees this as an opportunity to offer extended security support to its customers during this transition period. For any queries or concerns, customers are encouraged to reach out to WP Engine’s Support teams via the WP Engine User Portal, the Flywheel App, or other listed options.

5. Upgrading to PHP 8.2: Are You Ready?

Despite the potential compatibility issues, WP Engine customers have the option to upgrade from PHP 7.4 to PHP 8.2 if they wish to do so. However, it’s crucial to follow best practices when updating your PHP version. WP Engine recommends conducting site updates in a staging or development environment to ensure the safety of your live site. This approach also allows you to test for compatibility issues before pushing the updated site live. The update process can be easily executed by logging into your user portal and following the provided instructions. If you encounter any challenges or have questions, you can also reach out to the support team through your account.

The Advantages of PHP 8.2

PHP 8.2 introduces several improvements and new features that can enhance your website’s performance and functionality. Some notable additions include:

• Readonly classes: This feature allows you to create classes with read-only properties, providing better control over data integrity.
• Disjunctive Normal Form (DNF) Types: DNF types enable more complex type declarations, improving code readability and accuracy.
• Allowing null, false, and true as stand-alone types: This change offers greater flexibility in type hinting.
• New “Random” extension: The addition of this extension enhances random number generation capabilities.
• Constants in traits: PHP 8.2 permits the use of constants in traits, simplifying code organization and reuse.
• Deprecated dynamic properties: Dynamic properties have been deprecated, encouraging better coding practices and reducing the risk of errors.

While PHP 8.2 provides several benefits, it’s essential to consider both compatibility and the advantages it offers to determine the right time for an upgrade.

Ensuring Security and Compatibility

Maintaining a current PHP version not only improves site speed but also guards against potential security vulnerabilities present in older PHP versions. WP Engine’s extended support for PHP 7.4 offers peace of mind by eliminating concerns about vulnerabilities in that version, as no current vulnerabilities have been reported. However, with the majority of WP Engine and Flywheel customers now using either PHP 7.4 or 8.2, it’s wise to start considering the transition away from older PHP versions.

In conclusion, the EOL of PHP 7.4 presents WordPress users with a critical decision point regarding their PHP version. While the extended support provided by WP Engine and Flywheel offers a valuable safety net, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of PHP 8.2 against compatibility concerns. The key to a smooth transition is thorough testing in a development environment and careful consideration of your website’s specific needs. As the WordPress community navigates this transition, WP Engine remains committed to supporting its customers and ensuring the security and stability of their websites. For more information on PHP compatibility with specific WordPress versions and guidance on checking and updating your PHP version, refer to the provided resources.