TechPrufer
Get started
Slack
Slack logoSlack · Feature trail

PHP and HHVM adoption

1 post · Oct 2016

What this trail covers

This thread tracks the evolution of Slack's server-side technology choices, focusing on the adoption and benefits of PHP and the HipHop Virtual Machine (HHVM). Initial posts detail the rationale behind choosing PHP for its request-oriented strengths, fast developer workflow, and state isolation. This post introduces HHVM as a JIT environment that significantly improves performance and economic efficiency, with Slack experiencing reduced latency after migrating its web environments. It also introduces Hack, a gradual typing system for PHP, as a way to address language flaws and enable safer, more maintainable codebases.

All Slack trails
  1. Taking PHP SeriouslyThis post details the rationale for choosing PHP for server-side logic, highlighting its strengths in state isolation, concurrency via web requests, and fast developer workflow. It addresses common criticisms of PHP (type conversions, reference/value semantics, failure-obliviousness, standard library inconsistencies) and introduces Hack as a solution to mitigate these issues through gradual typing. The post also introduces HHVM as a high-performance JIT environment, noting Slack's migration and subsequent latency improvements.