Each PHP version has lifespan, in which is actively supported within certain period of time after its release.
Each release is actively supported for two years from its initial stable release. Within this period, bugs and security issues will be fixed and released on regular basis.
After that, it still be supported for another year for critical security issues only. Security fixes will be released on as-needed basis.
A PHP version is announced as end of life (EOL) and no longer supported once the three-year support is completed.
During each PHP version, some functions from older PHP may become obsolete and no longer compatible with newer PHP, which may become one of the reasons why the adoption of new PHP is slow.
It is important to keep the PHP versions up-to-date, mainly due to the following reasons.
1. New PHP versions are fully supported and security fixes are released regularly to patch security vulnerabilities known in past PHP versions. With older PHP versions, websites may be prone to vulnerabilities such as DDOS, code execution, data leakage and more.
2. The latest PHP release comes with huge performance difference, which is reflected in website performance.
3. Most website developers nowadays focus more on new PHP versions, as there are many new features introduced in new PHP.
PHP plays a partial role in ensuring that user's websites are protected at best on server level. Besides PHP, it is also important to keep the script up-to-date by applying the latest patch on the website.
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