Using the Right PHP

[Jason]

XF 2.2 - 500 Error

My site https://drummerlesson.com has that error. Could it be a php limit? The other sites (not same software) on the same hosting have no problems.

xenforo.com

In my case, I was supposed to use alt-php, not ea-php, due to cloud Linux. How about with your site? It's not just about php level, but type, but I didn't understand this stuff.

 

[Empire]

8.2 I'm on I always keep it updated but that being said only once it's stable

 

[Ravenfreak]

I usually upgrade to the latest version that my forum software recommends. I wouldn't want to run into any issues if I made the switch if it wasn't compatible.

 

[Tyrsson]

This can be a somewhat complicated subject.

There is a couple primary considerations. What software are you running? What is the most recent version of php it supports? Who is your host, or where are you hosting it? Depending on what the answer is to the previous question, how are you building your environment? Docker? Kubernetes? Azure App? Etc.

As a general rule, you want to be on the newest version that is 100% supported by the software that you are running. With that said, it will also come down to nuances of configuration, some of which you may not have enough fine grained control of in certain environments such as shared hosting. This is where you as the "webmaster" have to make an informed decision. I would always suggest taking a look at the software platforms github repo and check the outstanding issues for anything php version related. Also, read the docs for the platform you are using. Doing those things will give you great insight into what level of support they have and what bugs on which versions are known, if any.

There will always be bugs in Php. The question you have to answer is are those bugs that will affect your site? The best people to whom you can ask that question is the people that develop your platform, whichever that is.

Do your research and make backups before upgrading. ALWAYS!!!

 

[Empire]

With iPS they always want to be on the lastest updated edition, But I was always told back in 2013 that even when new is out doesn't mean you jump on the ship. Always wait till it's stable and any bugs gets resolved.

 

[CharlesW]

We are more about requiring people stay on a supported version. If you are still on PHP 7 at this point then it's really bad practice (and potentially unsafe) as PHP itself is no longer supporting 7.