Horacio Gonzalez

PHP powers over half of the web, yet many developers still remember it as spaghetti-code of the ’90s. In this session, you’ll see how PHP has evolved into a modern platform featuring JIT compilation, strong typing, attributes, and a thriving ecosystem of packages & frameworks. We’ll dispel common myths – no, PHP does know objects – and explore how today’s best practices bring PHP in line with, and often ahead of, other mainstream languages.

With concise examples and case studies, you’ll learn how modern PHP leverages tools like Composer, PSR standards, static analysis, and Dependency Injection to build maintainable, scalable applications. Whether you’re coming from Java, JavaScript, Go or Rust, you’ll discover how PHP’s strengths – its simplicity, performance gains in PHP 8+, and vibrant community – can complement your existing toolset.

What You’ll Take Away:

• PHP 8+ Essentials: JIT, union types, attributes, constructor property promotion
• Ecosystem Mastery: Composer, Packagist, PSR standards, static analysis (PHPStan/Psalm)
• Framework Showcases: Symfony and Laravel feature highlights and architecture patterns
• Interoperability & Tooling: Integrating with Docker, REST/gRPC APIs, and CI/CD pipelines
• Community & Culture: How to engage with PHP events, open-source projects, and cross-pollinate ideas

Join us to bridge the gap between the PHP community and the wider development world—ignite your curiosity and see why PHP deserves a spot in every polyglot’s toolbox.