Case study · Anonymous project
A custom PHP website upgraded from PHP 5.6 to PHP 8.4
A practical, manageable upgrade of an existing website: adapt the code for PHP 8.4, retain the application and avoid a complete rebuild.
Your PHP version, hosting setup and any error message are usually enough to start the conversation.
I’m Stefan Pilz, a PHP and Shopware developer based in Paphos, Cyprus. I help companies and agencies take over, upgrade and maintain existing PHP software remotely across Europe and worldwide.
- Building PHP websites since 2004
- Work directly with the developer
- Custom applications welcome
- Framework optional
Starting point
The website had been individually developed many years earlier. It consisted of numerous separate PHP files and ran on PHP 5.6. It used no framework: neither Symfony nor Laravel.
The problem
The existing application needed to run on a more modern PHP runtime. The task was to adapt its code to that environment. Introducing a new framework was not a requirement.
The objective
Run the website on PHP 8.4 while keeping the existing application. The upgrade would also allow further development of that codebase.
The work
I adapted the existing PHP code for PHP 8.4. There was no complete rewrite and no framework introduced as a prerequisite. The project remained a practical, manageable upgrade of the existing website.
The outcome
Before
A custom website, numerous individual PHP files, PHP 5.6 and no framework.
After
The retained application runs on PHP 8.4. Its code was adapted rather than replaced, and further development is now possible.
Why a rewrite was unnecessary
Adapting the existing code was enough to achieve this project’s objective. Not having a framework did not justify rebuilding the application. It did not first need to become a Symfony or Laravel project.
This is a result from one project, not a guarantee for every old codebase. What can be retained needs to be assessed for each application. See how I approach PHP upgrades.
What can follow
The application can now be developed further. Features, integrations and usability improvements are possible follow-up work, not additional outcomes claimed for this project.
For similar starting points, read about upgrading PHP 5.6 to PHP 8 or legacy PHP without a framework.
Have a similar application?
Send the known PHP version, hosting details and a short description of the software. Start with the PHP upgrade service or contact me directly.
Tell me what your PHP application needs
Your PHP version, hosting setup and any error message are usually enough to start the conversation.
If available, include the target PHP version and a short description of the application. You do not need a complete specification to get in touch.
