8 PHP Performance Tips Every Developer Should Know

TL;DR

Enhance PHP application performance by leveraging built-in functions, caching, OPcache, prepared statements, and profiling tools. Optimize loops and use autoloaders for cleaner, faster code.

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1. Use Built-In Functions

Built-in functions are optimized for performance and reduce errors.
Example: Replace custom wordCount with str_word_count.

// Instead of:
function wordCount($string) {
    return count(explode(' ', $string));
}
echo wordCount("Hello PHP World!");

// Use:
echo str_word_count("Hello PHP World!");

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2. Leverage isset and empty

Optimized checks for variable existence or non-emptiness.

// Instead of:
if ($variable !== null && $variable !== '') {}

// Use:
if (!empty($variable)) {}

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3. Cache Results

Use caching tools like APCu or Redis to reduce redundant database calls.

$cacheKey = 'user_data_' . $userId;
$userData = apcu_fetch($cacheKey);

if ($userData === false) {
    $userData = getUserFromDatabase($userId);
    apcu_store($cacheKey, $userData, 300);
}

echo $userData['name'];

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4. Enable OPcache

Boost script execution speed by enabling OPcache in php.ini.

opcache.enable=1
opcache.memory_consumption=128
opcache.max_accelerated_files=10000
opcache.validate_timestamps=0

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5. Use Autoloaders

Avoid redundant file inclusions; utilize spl_autoload_register or Composer.

spl_autoload_register(function ($class) {
    include __DIR__ . '/' . $class . '.php';
});

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6. Use Prepared Statements

Optimize and secure database queries with prepared statements.

$stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = :email');
$stmt->execute(['email' => $email]);
$user = $stmt->fetch();

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7. Profile Your Code

Identify bottlenecks using tools like Xdebug.
Xdebug Example:

xdebug.mode=profile
xdebug.output_dir=/path/to/profiles

Analyze outputs with tools like KCachegrind.

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8. Optimize Loops

Reduce redundant operations in loops; use array functions.

// Instead of:
foreach ($users as $user) {
    echo strtoupper($user['name']);
}

// Use:
$names = array_column($users, 'name');
echo implode(', ', array_map('strtoupper', $names));

Implementing these tips will significantly boost your PHP application’s performance.

Ref: Yash - Medium