I am wondering how many hosts have installed the zend optimiser.

The reason I ask is I want to provide a demo copy of my software as that is really the only true way to let potential customers see how it could fit into their business. But of course PHP source is viewable so this can not be done. The Zend Encoder would solve this problem but it requires the zend optimiser to be able to run the code. So I am wondering, before I spend $2,500!!! on the Zend Encoder if that many people have the Zend Optimiser installed. If not I can't see spending all that money is going to be worth it.

Thats very expensive... I think web programming using java servlets is the way to go...

You might want to consider APC instead.

APC provides the same performance benefits as the Zend Optimizer and the Zend Cache products. In addition it also features a decoder like the Zend Encoder, so that you can get "compiled php"-files, and hand them over as a demo to the customer (he must have APC installed to run them).

The good thing is, that APC is free.
(APC = Alternative PHP Cache)

Originally posted by padders
So I am wondering, before I spend $2,500!!! on the Zend Encoder if that many people have the Zend Optimiser installed. If not I can't see spending all that money is going to be worth it.

I think they have something like "Zend Developers Server Suite"
for $600/year or $50/month.

Also, isn't Zend Optimizer is free?

Originally posted by jks
In addition it also features a decoder like the Zend Encoder


The Zend Encoder, does not have a decoder. And having a decorder completely misses the point padders is trying to make.

Padders, I think its more of a "you decide" issue. There are some hosts who wouldnt like the idea, but some who wouldnt mind.

Originally posted by kunal


The Zend Encoder, does not have a decoder.


It's quite clearly a typo.

It should ofcourse have said, that it features an _encoder_ like the zend _encoder_.

It's quite clearly a typo.

It should ofcourse have said, that it features an _encoder_ like the zend _encoder_.

:D ;)

Originally posted by kunal


:D ;)

But by the way - you should actually know that decoders _do_ exist.

(you cannot get the original sourcecode out of it however, but you can get something useable)

Originally posted by jks


But by the way - you should actually know that decoders _do_ exist.

(you cannot get the original sourcecode out of it however, but you can get something useable)

Where?? :confused:

Actually, It is very >EASY< to decode APC compiled scripts, what APC does is serialize a zend_op_array (An array that kinda splits up PHP into ASM like statements before execution) and then compile it. Zend Encoder uses optimization, compression, serialization techniques that are not known to anyone. APC is open source and to be frank one can make a decoder that makes a PHP that looks almost similar but will perform same functions.

From my experience in coding PHPCompiler (An overlay manager I made for php-gtk users to make .php files > .exe window executables) I can say that Zend Encoder would be a tough cookie for a lot of people, I really would like to see the decoder you are talking about.

I would definately not recommend APC for any commercial applications and besides APC compiled scripts arent optimized, so one might see a little decrease in performance as the serialized code is deserialized and then executed everytime (unless untill you used caching), whereas Zend Encoder Scripts are optimized and ran as is.

Just my 2c

I don't think it's worth it, maybe if you've got like 10 servers, with load balancing and the only reason you've done that is that you had to add more and more servers each time one server had high load averages. If you're using PHP then getting Zend products can reduce the load a LOT, so you can reduce the 10 servers down to 5-7 servers... that'll cut your monthly fees down, when you just pay ONE license for the Zend product.

Other than that, people who just have one dedicated server and are using only like 10% of that server, why pay all that license fee, when you can just use the rest of the server resources first?? Some may argue that the Zend products also process the code faster, so what? If you've got a fast server, then that'll be all that's needed for serving pages fast, the visitors won't mind and won't even really notice the speed difference with the Zend products.

Alan

Not really, a fast server wont speed up the way PHP code is made, but an Optimizer that >OPTIMIZES< the very code for better performance will definately do, run benchmarks you will see the difference clearly.

Originally posted by Varun Shoor
cookie for a lot of people, I really would like to see the decoder you are talking about.

The decoder I was talking about is for APC, not the Zend Encoder.

ah ok thanks for clearing it up :)

the zend optimizer is free.. that is the only requirement to run zend encoded scripts on a server...

...PHP Accelerator (http://www.php-accelerator.co.uk) and ionCube Encoder (http://www.ioncube.com/encoder/).

The PHP Accelerator (free) offers the same performance as the Zend Accelerator, or even more, is the accelerator of choice for Yahoo!, and massive sites like www.disboards.com, and will give you the ultimate performance boost for free.

The ionCube Encoder is related. Just like ZE, the ionCube encoder performs compiled code encoding, which is vastly more secure than source code encoding. Unlike ZE, you can encode files starting from less than a dollar with the online portal. The service is particularly designed for users with light to medium needs.

The latest decoder extension supports Zend Optimizer as well as safe mode - the only solution other than Zend to do so - and so is compatible wth most hosting providers. If your hosting provider doesn't offer ionCuibe decoder, just ask them to try it and install it. It's adding value to their servers for free, and only enhances their service.

A standalone encoder will also be released in a while that will still be well under $1000 (actually about half that) and offer even more features than the online portal.

The encoded files are compatible with PHPA, although for security reasons, PHPA does not yet accelerate encoded files, although encoded files run faster than source anyway.

I think the above will serve you very well.

Good luck!

Nick

sourceguardian.com