Does changing PHP version make irreversible changes to website files/database?

  • Dear wordpress experts??</img>,

    Due to some frustrated past bad experience in breaking my website (due to various reasons/mistakes) & then unable to solve them; I generally tend to worry/overthinking??</img> when do any major changes. So asking this questions.

    1) Does changing PHP version make irreversible changes to website files or database?

    ??Due to common sense, I always make full site back up before any PHP change. Also I know that the wp/theme/plugin must be compatible with the PHP to works without any issue. But I have a worry/doubt that changing PHP might make some irreversible changes in my wordpress files & database.

    For example, suppose now I have php 7.4; I have updated all wp/theme/plugins; then after a back up I change its PHP to 8.1. I used to think think that this will make some irreversible changes in my files/database. Then later due to any reason, I wanted to change its PHP to 7,4 or 8.2 or any more future upgraded version. Then I may get into problems due to previous irreversible changes.

    ??I guess my worry are wrong. PHP changes are server side things. And It has no relationship with my files/database. If my wp/theme/plugins (aka files & database) support particular PHP; then I can switch to anyone anytime.

    For example, suppose now my website is PHP 8.1. Later I discovered some php related error logs in my error log file. Then realized I did a mistake in my research & found certain important plugin does not support php 8.1, rather 8.0 or still 7.4. So I have to switch PHP In that case, after a back up, can I safely switch to older php without any issue (I think in 99% case there will be no issue as PHP does not make irreversible changes)

    ?</img>So my question is, Am I right or wrong PHP version make irreversible changes ?

    2) Does latest version PHP are always better?

    I want to use latest version PHP & currently using PHP 8.1 (Switched from PHP 8.2 after some WP experts’ suggestion).

    I used to think that (Main culprit is google’s article from inexperienced authors??), using latest are always better. After checking all my currently used theme/plugins are latest version PHP compatible, I used PHP 8.2 in my websites.
    But after getting few php Deprecated errors, some WP experts recommend me to not use PHP 8.2 as this is not fully stable yet, rather use PHP 8.1. As per them, php 8.2 is insufficiently developed and changes happens on a release basis and almost all developers are waiting for a really stable release to update (or not) their script compatibility.

    ??</img>So my question is:

    ?</img>Is it true that no always latest version PHP is better & currently I should stick with PHP 8.1.?

    P.S: To whom, who is trying to help me by replying; plz reply with little details. So that worry/overthinking??</img> will stop. Thanks in advance.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Moderator Steven Stern (sterndata)

    (@sterndata)

    Volunteer Forum Moderator

    1) Does changing PHP version make irreversible changes to website files or database?

    no.

    ?Am I right or wrong PHP version make irreversible changes ?
    Yes, you are right or wrong. ??

    Is it true that no always latest version PHP is better & currently I should stick with PHP 8.1.?
    Generally, yes, though you can get ahead of where most of the WP development is. I’m running a server with 8.2 (and, admittedly, not many plugins) and it’s going OK. But for the moment, I’d say pick 8.1 over 8.2.

    Thread Starter Mr. Deb

    (@silumant)

    Thanks for replying @sterndata

    I was little confused with your reply of my this question & your answer:
    Am I right or wrong PHP version make irreversible changes ?
    Yes, you are right or wrong.?
    //This might be a mistaken reply. As there is no either right or wrong reply. Either you misunderstood my question or I misunderstand your replay. Haha.

    Whatever, this does not matter anymore. After your reply & talking with some other experts; I have reached to this conclusion:

    1. PHP changes does not make ?irreversible changes to website files or database. So no need to worry/overthinking.
    2. I should stick with PHP 8.1 as many experts recommended to use it instead of 8.2. And I should follow experts instead of my over thinking mind. haha.

    Changing the PHP version used by a website can potentially affect the functionality of the website, but it should not make any irreversible changes to the website files or database.

    When you change the PHP version used by a website, it changes the way that the server processes the PHP code in the website’s files. Depending on the differences between the old and new PHP versions, this can cause the website to behave differently or display errors.

    However, this should not affect the underlying files or database of the website. The files and database should remain intact, and any issues caused by the PHP version change can usually be resolved by updating the website’s code or configuration to be compatible with the new PHP version.

    That being said, it’s always a good practice to make backups of your website files and database before making any major changes like changing the PHP version. This ensures that you have a copy of your website in case anything goes wrong during the update process.

    Thread Starter Mr. Deb

    (@silumant)

    Thanks for reply @dell123 .

    As a newbie in server related knowledge; initially I thought PHP change may make irreversible changes to website files/database.

    But now thanks to you & other experts; all my worry/overthinking are cleared now. Also as usual I always make a full site back up before changing PHP version.

    I have one question which I think you may answer as an expert.

    I recently found out that my premium theme is compatible with PHP 8.0 & not with PHP 8.1 or 8.2. Initially I desired to use PHP 8.2 thinking it will give best performance/speed. But now I have to use PHP 8.0.

    So my question is:

    Is performance (speed is my priority) of PHP 8.0 is almost similar to PHP 8.1 or 8.2. I know that updated PHP are better, but I think in overall performance; they are almost same.?Am I right?

    P.S: After clearing about this PHP confusion, almost all my worry/overthinking will be cleared.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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