PHAR: PHP Archive Files

Phar is to PHP as jar is to Java. A phar—aPHp ARchive—is a single file that containsmultiple files, each of which can be accessed as if it were aregular file using filesystem functions within PHP, such as”fopen()”. In this article, lead developer Gregory Beaverexplores the range of possibility that lies within a phararchive.—by Gregory Beaver

The Doctrine Framework

The inclusion of full support for the object orientedparadigm in PHP has revolutionized the way we solve problems whenusing the language. That said, the increased usage of objects inPHP applications poses a tough problem: database management systemscan only store scalar data. Doctrine offers some cleversolutions.—by Nicolas Bérard-Nault

Webmail 2.0: Introducing RoundCube

Who needs yet another IMAP webmail application written inPHP? Take a closer look at RoundCube; you may find that youdo.—by Till Klampäckel

Killing the For Loop

Looping is something that most programmers have learned totake for granted. Everybody knows how to do it, and no one thinksabout the process in much detail. In this article, Paul examineswhat it takes to replace for(;;) with iterator-powered countedloops and gives some examples of the potential benefits of thisapproach.—by Paul Chandler

/etc: Web Development Contracts

Contract work can be very rewarding (both personally andfinancially), but comes with a lot of strings and risks that notall developers fully realize. Hunter gives you the scoop.—by Hunter Jensen

Test Pattern: Modelling Dependencies

In this month’s column, Jeff Moore takes a look at networksof dependencies and the methods that can be used to organize theminto layers.—by Jeff Moore

exit(0): Coding Used To Be So Much Fun

Sean reminisces on how writing code has evolved over theyears—from the days when he did it for fun towhen he became a pro.—by Sean Coates