[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #33381: Strategize the updating of minimum PHP version.

[WordPress Trac]

#33381: Strategize the updating of minimum PHP version.
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 Reporter:  alexander.rohmann                    |       Owner:
     Type:  enhancement                          |      Status:  closed
 Priority:  normal                               |   Milestone:
Component:  General                              |     Version:
 Severity:  normal                               |  Resolution:  maybelater
 Keywords:  needs-codex dev-feedback 2nd-        |     Focuses:
  opinion                                        |
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Comment (by knutsp):

 Replying to [comment:59 Ipstenu]:

 > I think there are more users than developers, and the developers are
 actually the least impacted by a technical change like this. The technical
 onus of upgrading PHP is not something most end-users are capable of
 addressing. I think WP has opted to prioritize their user base over their
 development base in this instance and, seeing as millions of people use WP
 but far less develop for it, it's a fair stance today.

 I could not agree more. WordPress is made for the many users, not the
 (relatively few) developers. But without developers there would be no
 WordPress. Yopu have to take developers into account in some way. Without
 the ability to recruit excellent new developers WordPress (core, themes,
 plugins included) will be evolving more and more slowly.

 And EOL'ed PHP versions may have much greater security risks than those
 still alive. This could harm users hard, some day. Why wait until the fire
 has caught?

 If WordPress is too afraid to plan for taking just one small step (for
 mankind, or internet) in the foreseeable future, then WordPress will never
 move an inch.

 And users will be able to contact their host, quoting a well crafted
 sentence about why WordPress need their host to upgrade or move their site
 to newer PHP.

 My experience is that hosting providers are lazy, as we all, and want to
 keep staff as few as possible. They won't act until the demand through
 support requests are un-ignorable. They do absolutely not "hate" PHP 5.2,
 except some. They are mostly happy it works as it is, for a large amount
 of their customers.

 When the queen of the CMS world speaks, they will start worrying, and
 planning upgrades. When the queen is silent, or just kindly approaches
 some of the biggest players, they just do business as usual. Upgrades may
 imply extra work and extra hardware. Companies spend money when not
 spending may become more expensive.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/33381#comment:63>
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