Why can't I compile PHP code?

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Can you “compile” PHP code?

After I write an application in PHP, why can't I compile it into machine language? I know that it's possible to make a byte-code version of the file, which (as I understand it) is basically a file that has already been parsed into tokens.

But that's not what I want. Clearly it can't work in a general sense, since compiled code will be platform-specific, but let's say I have chosen a given platform. Why can't I create a binary file that would be the same code that PHP would run when given my .php file?

Maybe you forgot to write a machine-code targeting compiler first? Let us know when you have one! :-) — Kerrek SB, Sep 16 '11 at 00:42
Doesn't PHP just run in a VM? Might be wrong, but that's what I though was the case. If so, you're not running on the platform but on the VM. — itsmatt, Sep 16 '11 at 00:42

score 7 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 16 '11 at 00:43

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You can, facebook released a project which is currently being updated for php 5.3 (supports everything lower iirc) called HipHop, you can find it here: https://github.com/facebook/hiphop-php

answered Sep 16 '11 at 00:43

Howard Lince III

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score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Oct 02 '11 at 03:57

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There are a few compilers out there like facebook's, mentioned by @Howard, or http://www.roadsend.com/home/index.php?pageID=compiler. I've never tried them though.

edited Oct 02 '11 at 03:57

Robert Martin

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answered Sep 16 '11 at 00:48

David Laberge

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Why can't I compile PHP code?

2 Answers2