9 Things Not to Do in PHP 7
PHP 7, the latest stable release of PHP, comes with several new features and improvements that make it a more powerful and efficient tool for building web applications. However, as with any technology, there are certain practices that can negatively impact performance and security. In this post, we'll cover nine things you should avoid doing in PHP 7.
1. Using register_globals
PHP's register_globals directive was deprecated long ago, and it has been removed entirely from PHP 7. This directive made all variables submitted through the GET, POST, and COOKIE methods available to the script as global variables. However, this can lead to serious security vulnerabilities, as attackers could easily manipulate these variables. Instead, use prepared statements with parameter binding or escape user input using mysqli_real_escape_string() or PDO::quote().
2. Writing Insecure Code
Always ensure that your code is secure, especially when handling user input and sensitive data. Never trust user input blindly, and always use prepared statements with parameter binding or escape user input using the methods mentioned above. Also, keep your software up-to-date to protect against known vulnerabilities.
3. Using Old and Deprecated Functions
PHP 7 introduces many new functions and deprecated older ones. Using deprecated functions can cause compatibility issues in future PHP releases and may negatively impact performance. Always check the PHP documentation for alternative, recommended methods and update your code accordingly.
4. Neglecting Error Handling
Proper error handling is essential to ensure your application runs smoothly and remains secure. Use try-catch blocks and custom error messages to handle exceptions gracefully. Be sure to set up appropriate log files for debugging and use PHP's built-in error_reporting() function to manage error reporting.
5. Ignoring Performance Optimization
PHP 7 includes several performance improvements, such as Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation and zend-opcache. Make sure you take advantage of these features by properly caching your PHP scripts and optimizing your code for better performance. Additionally, consider using an opcode cache like APC or Memcached to improve the response time of your application.
6. Misusing Session Handling
Session handling is a powerful tool in PHP for storing user data across multiple pages. However, misconfiguring session handling can lead to security vulnerabilities and performance issues. Ensure that you properly configure your session settings (like session timeout, cookie name, and path), use secure methods for storing session IDs, and enable HTTPS to encrypt the session data in transit.
7. Overlooking Input Validation
Input validation is an essential step in any application development process. Always validate user input on both the client-side (using JavaScript) and server-side using PHP functions like filter_var() and ctype_alpha(). Additionally, consider using a library such as the Filter extension for more advanced validation tasks.
8. Neglecting Security Patches
Regularly check for security patches and updates for your PHP installation and third-party libraries to protect against known vulnerabilities. Set up automated updates or use a package manager like apt-get or yum to keep your system secure.
9. Ignoring Best Practices for Database Access
When accessing databases with PHP, always follow best practices such as using prepared statements, parameter binding, and escaping user input. Additionally, avoid storing sensitive data in plain text, use strong passwords for database users, and consider implementing two-factor authentication.
By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can ensure that your PHP 7 applications are fast, secure, and efficient. Keep learning and experimenting with new features and best practices to build better web applications!