On 7PHP.com there’s a new community interview posted – this time with Vito Chin, the maintainer of the Gmagick extension for PHP.

In this edition I talked with Vito Chin who is a multi-talented, cool geek; @vitoc has a first class honors degree in Software Engineering, is a co-founder of lentor.io, is the lead maintainer of the Gmagick extension for PHP and is the co-author of the PHP book “PHP Development in the Cloud by Ivo Jansch and Vito Chin” – (btw Rafael Dohms, our Brazilian PHP Ronaldo made a review of that book here). I invite you to learn from Vito’s PHP and programming experience..

In the interview they talk about things like Vito‘s experience, how he got started with PHP and his advice to those wanting to become better developers. There’s also a section talking in more detail about performance and how important it is to a project.

Link: http://7php.com/php-interview-vito-chin

Recent releases from the Packagist:

• jasonlewis/basset (v4.0.0-BETA2)
  A better asset management package for Laravel.

• enygma/expose (1.3)
  An intrusion detection library based on PHPIDS

• titon/cache (0.3.0)
  The Titon cache package provides a data caching layer that supports multiple storage engines.

• jonhoo/laravel-former (0.3.0)
  Laravel form library

• mjohnson/admin (0.24.0)
  A CakePHP admin plugin.

• webcodr/collection (2.1.4)
  Collection library for PHP

• rtablada/package-installer (0.1.0)
  An easy to use package installer for Laravel 4

• soup/paginator (1.1.2)
  Paginator is a simple class that allows you to create pagination. It doesn’t require any database connection. It is compatible with Twitter’s Bootstrap Framework, by using the CSS class pagination that is also attached.

• voodoophp/paginator (1.1.2)
  Paginator is a simple class that allows you to create pagination. It doesn’t require any database connection. It is compatible with Twitter’s Bootstrap Framework, by using the CSS class pagination that is also attached.

• voodoophp/voodorm (2.0.1)
  VoodOrm is a micro-ORM which functions as both a fluent select query API and a CRUD model class.

• sergeytsalkov/meekrodb (v2.2.0)
  The Simple PHP/MySQL Library

• mjohnson/uploader (4.2.0)
  File uploader and validation plugin for CakePHP.

• mjohnson/transit (1.3.2)
  A file uploader with support for validation, image transformation and remote transportation.

• onigoetz/profiler (1.0.0-alpha)
• phix/commandlinelib4 (3.0.1)
  commandlinelib3 provides a high-quality command line parser via a fluent interface

• phix/commandlinelib3 (3.0.1)
  commandlinelib3 provides a high-quality command line parser via a fluent interface

• phix/consoledisplaylib4 (4.0.1)
  consoledisplaylib4 is a simple library for CLI apps to output to the console

• laravel/framework (v4.0.4)
  The Laravel Framework.

• ze-pequeno/pequeno-spotify-module (1.0.3)
  Zend Framework 2 Module for Spotify Web API

• phix/autoloader4 (4.3.2, 4.3.1)
  Phix’s Autoloader is a PSR0-compliant autoloader which supports PHP’s include_path

• orchestra/testbench (v2.0.0-BETA2, v2.0.0-BETA1)
  Laravel 4 Package Unit Testing Helper

• friendsofsymfony/facebook-bundle (1.2.0)
  Integrate the Facebook Platform into your Symfony2 application.

• adfab/user (0.1.15)
  Module managing user

• phix/validationlib4 (4.0.1)
  ValidationLib is a lightweight library of reusable data validation tools

• phix/exceptionslib1 (1.1.5)
  exceptionslib1 is a simple-to-use PHP component that simplifies error handling in your PHP apps and components

• jms/translation-bundle (1.1.0)
  Puts the Symfony2 Translation Component on steroids

• jms/i18n-routing-bundle (1.1.0)
  This bundle allows you to create i18n routes.

• dispatch/dispatch (1.0.4)
  Dispatch is a PHP 5.3+ utility library for creating web apps

• libra/datatables-assets (1.9.4)
  DataTables assets for Libra CMS

• dispatch/dispatch-skeleton (1.0.0)
  skeleton application using Dispatch PHP

• zweifisch/zf (v0.3.3)
  a micro php web/cli framework/router

• jms/di-extra-bundle (1.4.0)
  Allows to configure dependency injection using annotations

• libra/fancybox-assets (2.1.4)
  Default fancyBox assets for Libra CMS

• libra/jquery-ui-assets (1.10.3)
  jQuery UI assets for Libra CMS

• libra/jquery-assets (1.10.1)
  jQuery assets for Libra CMS

• libra/twitter-bootstrap-assets (2.3.2)
  Twitter Bootstrap assets for Libra CMS

• libra/libra-app (0.4.1)
  Application module and administration for Libra CMS

• kdyby/events (v1.1.0)
  Events for Nette Framework

• barryvdh/laravel-ide-helper (v1.3.0)
  Laravel IDE Helper, generates correct PHPDocs for all Facade classes, to improve auto-completion.

• rickkuipers/justless (1.0.1)
  ZF2 module that allows automation of compiling your LESS with the extra of minifying the files.

• rmwebs/modules (1.1.0)
  A Module Manager for Laravel 4

• intervention/validation (1.0.3)
  Additional Validator Functions for the Laravel 4 Framework

Recent releases from the Packagist:

• ricardodantas/php-error-class (1.0.0)
  Provides a PHP class to handle errors and notify you via email, Zendesk or New Relic.

• mjohnson/transit (1.3.1, 1.3.0)
  A file uploader with support for validation, image transformation and remote transportation.

• nitra/nitra-theme-bundle (1.0.1)
  Nitra theme for the symfony2 admingenerator

• orchestra/foundation (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Foundation Component

• willskates/silex-skelington (1.0.0)
• leaseweb/secure-controller-bundle (v1.0.0)
  Provide ‘@Secure’ annotation to secure actions in controllers by specifying required roles

• bruensicke/li3_resque (0.1.0)
  Resque integration with the Lithium Framework

• webcodr/collection (2.1.3)
  Collection library for PHP

• opauth/evernote (0.0.2)
  Evernote strategy for Opauth

• levare/modules (1.1.0)
  A Module Manager for Laravel 4

• uestla/twigrid (0.9.5)
  Experimental DataGrid for Nette Framework

• alcaeus/bootstrap-table-responsive (1.0.0)
  Sleek, intuitive, and powerful front-end framework for faster and easier web development.

• psamatt/yaml-export-bundle (v1)
  Yaml Exporter for use with Symfony2

• aequasi/memcached-bundle (1.5.1, 1.4.7, 1.4.6, 1.4.5, 1.4.4, 1.4.3)
  Memcached Bundle

• egeloen/google-map-bundle (2.0.0)
  Provides a google map integration for your Symfony2 Project.

• cypresslab/gitelephant (1.0.0-alpha3)
  An abstraction layer for git written in PHP 5.3

• mandrill/mandrill (1.0.32)
  API client library for the Mandrill email as a service platform

• amnl/gc-datatable (v0.2.0)
  PHP library to generate JSON data for Google Chart Tools.

• ruflin/elastica (v0.90.1.0)
  Elasticsearch Client

• willskates/arrayfetcher (1.0.0)
  A simple library loads arrays from different source files of different types.

• mauserrifle/simresults (v0.1.2)
  Simrace result reader for PHP

• orchestra/widget (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Widget Component

• orchestra/resources (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Resources Component

• ellipsesynergie/backenator (v1.0.1, v1.0.0, 1.0.0)
  ORM (Object Relational Mapper) build on top of Eloquent that maps REST resources

• pecserke/yaml-fixtures-bundle (0.9.0-RC1)
  Symfony PecserkeYamlFixturesBundle

• orchestra/html (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Html Component

• orchestra/facile (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Facile Component

• orchestra/extension (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Extension Component

• orchestra/auth (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Auth Component

• orchestra/memory (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Memory Component

• loic-sharma/profiler (v1.1.1)
  A PHP 5.3 profiler based off of Laravel 3′s Anbu.

• orchestra/support (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Support Component

• orchestra/asset (v2.0.0-BETA2)
  Orchestra Platform Asset Component

• havvg/dashboard-bundle (v1.1.0)
  A Symfony2 bundle providing a simple unification for dashboards.

• geoffroy-aubry/errorhandler (v1.1.3)
  Error and exception handler

• uam/postmark-swiftmailer-bundle (0.2.5, 0.2.4)
  Symfony bundle to provide a Postmark SwiftMailer service

• propel/propel-bundle (1.2.5)
  Integration of Propel in Symfony2

• pugx/badge-poser (v1.0.0-RC1)
  add badges on your readme, such as downloads number or latest version.

• zweifisch/zf (v0.3.2)
  a micro php web/cli framework/router

• sabre/vobject (3.0.0-alpha5, 3.0.0-beta1)
  The VObject library for PHP allows you to easily parse and manipulate iCalendar and vCard objects

• dominionenterprises/dws-coding-standard (v1.2.0)
  DWS Coding standard

• priithansen/silverstripe-foundation-boilerplate (4.2.1)
  Foundation 4 Theme for SilverStripe CMS

• jasonlewis/enhanced-router (v1.0.2)
  Enhanced Router is an extension to the Laravel 4 router and provides some enhanced functionality.

• barryvdh/laravel-ide-helper (v1.2.1)
  Laravel IDE Helper, generates correct PHPDocs for all Facade classes, to improve auto-completion.

• mnilsson/mnl (v1.5.1)
  The Mnl PHP framework

• papajoker/profiler (1.1.1)
  A PHP 5.3 profiler based off of Laravel 3′s Anbu.

• kunststube/router (0.2.2)
  A flexible router/reverse router

• dannykopping/docblock (0.5, 0.4)
  A simple library for parsing PHP DocBlock comments

• adfab/user (0.1.14, 0.1.13)
  Module managing user

• zweer/images (v1.0.0)
  Everything you need to manipulate images in PHP.

• ajgl/h5bp-bundle (0.1.6)
  Adds HTML5 Boilerplate template to symfony2

• ajgl/jquery-bundle (1.10.1)
  Adds jQuery javascript library to symfony2

• mardy-git/redirect (v0.1.1)
  A simple redirect package.

• uam/propel-s3object-behavior (0.1.9, 0.2.1)
  A Propel behavior that allows objects to save a file to AWS S3.

• bear/package (0.7.2)
  BEAR.Sunday application package

• uam/aws-bundle (0.2.2)
  Symfony bundle to provide a wrapper service around AWS S3

The /Dev/Hell podcast have release the episode they recorded live at the php|tek conference that happened earlier this year in Chicago. Hosts Chris Hartjes and Ed Finkler did the show one night following the day’s sessions.

At this year’s tek13 we did another live show. The difference this time is that we didn’t have free booze, so turnout was a little low, but it was still super fun. We talked about hobbies we have outside of coding and how they impact our dev skills (hint: minimally), and what folks favorite talks at tek13 were. Probably other stuff too, but it’s been a while and I forgot.

You can listen to this latest episode either though the in-page player or by downloding the mp3 directly. You can also subscribe to their feed for this and future episode updates.

Link: http://devhell.info/post/2013-06-05/tek13

On Reddit.com there’s a big discussion happening around a question asked about Symfony2 versus Zend Framework 2 – My new boss is convinced Symfony2 is not suitable for big projects. He wants us to start developing with ZF2. Should we? Here’s his story:

I have worked with ZF1 and Symfony2. To me, Symfony2 is not only more productive (with all the CLI thingies), but is much more robust, modular… better in almost all ways. I don’t know much about ZF2. I’ve read some comparatives (here in this subreddit as well as in a few articles), but got nowhere. I either need reasons to learn ZF2 (and start the new projects with all difficulties a newbie would encounter, which sounds overly tedious, I must say) or arguments to provide my boss with. Even opinions from people who know both frameworks.

There’s lots of different opinions shared in the comments ranging from pro-Symfony2, pro-ZF2 out to those that eschew both and opt for something lighter for their needs (like an advanced setup of Slim).

Link: http://www.reddit.com/r/PHP/comments/1fq11x/my_new_boss_is_convinced_symfony2_is_not_suitable

As is mentioned in this new post to the Symfony blog, the latest milestone release of the popular framework has been made – Symfony 2.3.0.

We were all waiting for it and many of us have been working hard for the last four years to make it happen. Today, Symfony 2.3.0 is available and this is the first long-term support release for Symfony version 2. I’m so happy that we were able to achieve this important milestone in the life of the framework. THANK YOU for making it possible. [...] That gives us the best of two different worlds: small teams and agile companies can benefit from the latest features by upgrading every six months (they have two months to upgrade); large teams and traditional companies can standardize on a release. [...] And 2.3.0 is our first long term support release. We, the community, are going to maintain it for the next three years (until May 2016).

The post includes some statistics about this latest release as well as some of the new features that come along with it. For those that want to upgrade right away, there’s also some instructions on what to change in your “composer.json” file to try it all out.

Link: http://symfony.com/blog/symfony-2-3-0-the-first-lts-is-now-available

Igor Wiedler has started up a new project that helps you combine “stacks” of middleware related to the HttpKernelInterface from Symfony as a sort of decorator to its base functionality – Stack.

In the post titled HttpKernel middlewares I brought up the idea of bringing rack middlewares to Symfony2. In order to solidify this effort I would like to announce a new project: Stack. Stack is a convention for composing HttpKernelInterface middlewares. The name and logo are based on the idea of building a stack of middleware layers, each of which handles a particular piece of logic. [...] The main goal of stack is to give the idea of “HttpKernel middlewares” a name, so that we can more easily talk about it.

There’s a stackphp organization on Github that has the start of this set of middleware pieces including tools to help you build other features. The project is focused around the Symfony HttpKernelInterface because it was the simpler, more standardized option for now. He notes that there’s no reason that, in the future, when things are more standardized it couldn’t broaden out to PHP as a whole.

Link: https://igor.io/2013/05/23/introducing-stack.html

On 7PHP.com today there’s a new interview posted around the first ever Nomad PHP user group meeting that featured Rob Allen. The interview spans a few different people – the organizer, the speaker and three of the people in attendance.

Wednesday 22nd May 2013, NomadPHP hosted their first talk which was about “Zend Framework 2″ – a talk by Rob Allen. I even announced a two-ticket giveaways which was made possible by NomadPHP. In this article you’ll find short interviews which will showcase the opinion, feedback and suggestions from the NomadPHP organizer (Cal Evans), Rob Allen (The Speaker) and three attendees – two of which were the 7PHP Ticket winners.

There’s lots of good information and feedback in the interview and if you’re at all interested in the Nomad PHP (virtual) user group, you should definitely give it a read. There’s information from Cal Evans (the organizer), Rob and the three attendees – David Weinraub, Peter Kokot and PJ Hagerty with their own feedback on the event.

Link: http://7php.com/nomadphp-interview

Recent releases from the Packagist:

• razielanarki/hyperlight (v0.1.1, v0.1.0)
  Hyperlight Server-Side syntax highlighter for PHP

• monochromegane/query-builder (1.0.1, 1.0.0)
  Simple query builder

• cboden/ratchet (v0.2.6)
  PHP WebSocket library

• phly/phly-restfully (2.1.1, 2.1.0, 2.0.1)
  ZF2 Module providing structure for RESTful resources

• king23/king23 (0.1.6, 0.1.5)
  the King23 Framework

• kriswallsmith/assetic (v1.1.1)
  Asset Management for PHP

• eld/bridgevb (v1.01, v1.0)
  Laravel 4 and vBulletin 4 bridge for authentication services.

• enygma/expose (1.1, 1.0, 0.2)
  An intrusion detection library based on PHPIDS

• jenwachter/router-exchange (0.2)
  A collection of PHP interfaces and adapters to make swapping out router library dependencies quick and easy.

• zfr/zfr-pusher (1.0.1)
  PHP library for interacting with the Pusher REST API

• intervention/helper (1.0.3)
  Easier handling and formating of strings and dates

• sammaye/mongoyii (1.2.65, 1.2.6)
  A Yii MongoDB ORM

• sonata-project/notification-bundle (2.2.0)
  Symfony SonataNotificationBundle

• klaussilveira/gitter (0.2.0)
  Gitter allows you to interact in an object oriented manner with Git repositories.

• phpunit/phpunit-selenium (1.3.1)
  Selenium Server integration for PHPUnit

Recent releases from the Packagist:

• cyberspectrum/contao-toolbox (0.5.0)
  Contao ToolBox

• marcj/php-rest-service (0.1.2)
  PHPRestService is a simple and fast PHP class for server side RESTful APIs.

• sammaye/mongoyii (1.2.5)
  A Yii MongoDB ORM

• herrera-io/silex-pdo (1.0.0)
  A simple PDO service provider.

• happydemon/arr (0.2)
  A Kohana module that adds extra methods for dealing with arrays and configuration files

• mjohnson/admin (0.21.0)
  A CakePHP admin plugin.

• herrera-io/wise (1.3.0)
  Symfony Config for everyone else.

• sabberworm/php-css-parser (5.0.6)
  Parser for CSS Files written in PHP

• sabre/vobject (3.0.0-alpha4)
  The VObject library for PHP allows you to easily parse and manipulate iCalendar and vCard objects

• igorw/config-service-provider (v1.2.1)
  A config ServiceProvider for Silex with support for php, json and yaml.

• zenstruck/content-bundle (v1.3.4)
  Simple CMS for Symfony2 using Doctrine2 Class Table Inheritance

• lamina/formbundle (1.2-RC2)
  Forms management for Symfony 2

• stefano/stefano-tree (1.0.1)
  Library for managing tree structures

• ruler/ruler (v0.2.0)
  A simple stateless production rules engine for PHP 5.3.

• stefano/stefano-db (1.0.1)
  Modul for Zend Framework 2

• rodgermd/janrain-bundle (v1.0.1)
  Integrates Janrain into Symfony. Fork of https://github.com/evario/JanrainBundle

• 2amigos/yii-aws (v1.0)
  Amazon Web Services SDK PHP 2 Wrapper.

• codeblanche/depend (v1.0.0-RC1)
  Less Configuration, More Injection

• slm/mail (v1.0.0)
  Integration of various email service providers in the Zend Framework ZendMail

• turnaev/mysql-workbench-schema-exporter-symfony2-bundle (v1.0.1)
  MySQL Workbench Schema Exporter bundle for Symfony 2.2+

• bento/bento (0.4.3)
  Simple micro-framework

• barryvdh/laravel-vendor-cleanup (v1.1)
  A vendor cleanup package, to remove tests and documentation to save space

• kbsali/redmine-api (0.4.8)
  Redmine API client

• turnaev/mysql-workbench-schema-exporter (v1.0.0)
  MySQL Workbench Schema Exporter