Compiler terms
How source code becomes something a machine can actually run
Compilers are the translators that turn human-readable source code into something a machine can execute. This category covers lexing, parsing, abstract syntax trees, semantic analysis, optimisation passes, code generation, and just-in-time compilation. Understanding how compilers work illuminates why languages behave the way they do and how to write code that compiles to faster output.
Lexing & Parsing PHP 7.0+
Two stages of language processing — the lexer converts source text to tokens, the parser converts tokens to an Abstract Syntax Tree representing the program's structure.
2mo ago
compiler advanced
Opcode Optimisation PHP 5.5+
PHP's compiler applies optimisation passes to the opcode array before caching — constant folding, dead code elimination, and pass-through minimisation reduce instruction count.
2mo ago
compiler advanced
PHP Compilation Pipeline PHP 5.0+
Source code → lexer → tokens → parser → AST → compiler → opcodes → Zend VM — OPcache intercepts after compilation to cache and reuse opcodes across requests.
2mo ago
compiler advanced
Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) PHP 7.0+ Tree representation of code structure used by compilers and tools to analyse and transform programs.
2mo ago
compiler advanced
Garbage Collection PHP 5.3+ Automatic memory management that reclaims objects no longer reachable by the program — PHP uses reference counting with a cycle collector for circular references.
2mo ago
compiler advanced
JIT Compilation PHP 8.0+ Just-in-Time compilation converts hot bytecode paths to native machine code at runtime — trading startup time for faster execution of frequently run code.
2mo ago
compiler advanced