Posted by NC on 11/03/05 06:54

MBS wrote:
>
> since the interpreter has to compile the PHP source prior to execution,
> it is being compiled anyway, so why not just compile it from the
> beginning and save the overhead required by the interpreter, thus
> allowing the code to run faster?

There is at least one PHP compiler I know of:

http://www.roadsend.com/home/index.php?pageID=compiler
http://www.roadsend.com/home/index.php?pageID=purchase

The problem with compiled programs is security; it's difficult to
ensure
proper security on shared servers if executables are allowed. Hence,
customer executables are not allowed on shared servers, such as those
of Web hosting companies. Needless to say, this makes PHP compilers
irrelevant to a very large segment of PHP users who do not expect to
have dedicated servers at their disposal...

Cheers,
NC

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