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https://github.com/glayzzle/glayzzle

:rocket: CLI library - PHP transpiler to NodeJS / Javascript
https://github.com/glayzzle/glayzzle

javascript language nodejs php transpiler

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:rocket: CLI library - PHP transpiler to NodeJS / Javascript

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README

          

Glayzzle - PHP to JS transpiler
===============================

This is a CLI library in order to run a PHP script using the NodeJS V8 engine.

[![npm version](https://badge.fury.io/js/glayzzle.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/glayzzle)
[![Gitter](https://img.shields.io/badge/GITTER-join%20chat-green.svg)](https://gitter.im/glayzzle/Lobby)

Why (disclaimer) ?
------------------

I've been a PHP developper for years and now I'm mainly using JavaScript. I will debate about NodeJS versus PHP, because they come with different advantages, and honestly I like both for different reasons.

The main motivation behind this project is to empower a PHP developper to be able to do the same things you could do with NodeJS or Javascript.

You are maybe thinking, if a developper wants to do the same thing as a nodejs application can do, why not learn and use directly NodeJS ? Well, here are some personal reasons :

* Learning curve (not a big one, everybody knows JS /@YDKJS) with a new framework/libraries/etc...
* Grasp Prototypal principles, scopes
* Habits & losing landmarks (coding style, core functions)
* Losing typehinting habits, or dislike Duck Typing
* Losing SOLID principles / patterns
* ... and maybe others, [let's chat](https://gitter.im/glayzzle/Lobby) if you want to share your experience

You are JS purist and Glayzzle hurts your eyes !
------------------------------------------------

This project is not made for someone who masters JS and doesn't like PHP. It's just a matter of taste, some guys prefer SOLID vs Duck typing, and may prefer to use a friendly syntax for years instead of learning a new syntax like Typescript.

I do not say it's the best overall solution, you may choose depending on what suits you best.

What can you do with it ?
-------------------------

The project is still under developpement, so you can't use it yet :smile:.

Seriously, I plan to :

* Handle all PHP structures (namespace, classes, traits, interfaces)
* Impl a PHP core specific layer (in order to support main PHP functions)
* Impl a new syntax keyword in order to natively support any Javascript library
* Impl a native debug support with sourcemaps
* Impl plugins for gulp/grunt/babel in order to export code for browser
* Add a support for [apache cordova](https://cordova.apache.org/)
* Add a support for [electron](http://electron.atom.io/)

Things you can do :

* Write a mobile application
* Write a GUI application
* All the [cool stuff](http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/7-awesome-things-can-build-node-js) you can do in NodeJS
* Write an application for the browser
* Use frameworks like Vue.JS, SailsJS or Express/Koa

Things you can't do :

* Run an old application (PHP modules like PDO or lib_mysql will not be available)
* Use a dynamic variable name lookup like `$$var`, I'm not sure I want to degrade overall performance in order to be able to do that
* Maybe others, work is still in progress

For JS guys who scream : Don't block the loop !
-----------------------------------------------

PHP is synchronous, however some implementations with libevent/promises were done as experiments - like [react php](http://reactphp.org/) (BTW the `Hello world` demo is almost the same as NodeJS :wink:)

The main problem here is how to run a synchronous code without blocking the loop.

My answer to this is : let I/O tasks run asynchrously, and execute the next statement when the task result is ready.

Now how to do this without breaking the structure flow, and without degrading performances ?

I still need a POC, but I think I will use generators and promises in order to achieve this, the resulting transpiled code will be easy to read and will perform well with a native support.

Install & Run :
---------------

```
npm install -g glayzzle
glz -r "echo 'hello world';"
```

To run a PHP file you can use the same parameter as PHP :

```
glz -f your-file.php
// or
glz your-file.php
```

You can also run a script as a server (using NodeJS cluster module)

```
glz -S 127.0.0.1:8080 index.php
```

Other planed things :

* Add a standalone FCGI support in order to run it with Apache/Ngnix
* Add a generic daemon FCGI server (something similar to php-fcgi)

Project Status :
================

Actually the project is a Prof Of Concept, and does not run over all PHP syntax.

Here's my todo list :

- [x] 100% - Develop a [parser/lexer](https://github.com/glayzzle/php-parser)
- [ ] 10% - Develop a [runtime](https://github.com/glayzzle/php-runtime)
- [ ] 20% - Develop a [transpiler](https://github.com/glayzzle/php-transpiler)
- [ ] 15% - Develop a [compatibility layer](https://github.com/glayzzle/php-core)
- [ ] 0% - Write some awesome demo

If you want to contribute, fell free to make a pull request or [discuss on the chat](https://gitter.im/glayzzle/Lobby)