Can you compile PHP to a native binary?

Yes. elephc compiles a supported static subset of PHP directly to native assembly. It produces standalone executables for macOS ARM64, Linux ARM64, and Linux x86_64, plus native libraries for those hosts and iOS ARM64 targets. The compiled path uses no interpreter, VM, Zend Engine, or opcode fallback.

How is elephc different from PHP packagers or other PHP AOT systems?

elephc is not a PHP packager and does not bundle Zend/PHP. It is a from-scratch compiler: parse, type-check, lower to native assembly, assemble, link, and include a small runtime in the output. If elephc compiles it, it runs as native code.

Can elephc work with PHP frameworks?

Not a drop-in replacement for an entire dynamic framework today, but a path to accelerate static modules inside existing PHP applications. Keep frameworks such as WordPress, Laravel, or Symfony on PHP, then compile static and performance-sensitive modules into standalone executables or native libraries. A PHP extension bridge remains on the roadmap.

How does the elephc PHP compiler work?

elephc uses a twelve-stage compilation pipeline covering source classification, lexing, parsing, resolution, type checking, AST optimization, declaration reachability, EIR lowering and optimization, register allocation, target code generation, and linking. It targets macOS ARM64, Linux ARM64, Linux x86_64, and iOS ARM64 libraries.

What PHP features does elephc support?

elephc supports 24 user-facing types, modern PHP control flow and object features, functions and closures, native extensions, and 1,068 compiled built-in functions across strings, arrays, math, I/O, databases, images, iconv, curl, mbstring, XML, and other categories.

Is elephc free and open source?

Yes, elephc is free and open-source software released under the MIT License. The source code is available on GitHub at github.com/illegalstudio/elephc.

opcache_compile_file() - internals

`opcache_compile_file()` - internals

Where it lives

Signature: crates/elephc-builtin-contract/src/catalog_data.rs
Lowering: src/opcache_prelude/build.rs:956 (opcache_compile_file)
Function symbol: opcache_compile_file()

Lowering notes

Implemented by the compiler-injected OPcache prelude.

Semantic descriptor

Shared contract implemented by an injected elephc-PHP prelude.

EIR and runtime boundary

Implemented by an injected elephc-PHP prelude.

Signature summary

function opcache_compile_file(mixed $filename): bool

What the type checker enforces

Arity: takes exactly 1 argument.

Eval interpreter (magician)

Calls prefer the program’s native OPcache prelude declarations, which carry the configured directives, live cache, and API restrictions. Dedicated interpreter handlers cover programs without those declarations (crates/elephc-magician/src/interpreter/builtins/registry/dispatch/mod.rs). This route does not use an eval_builtin! binding.

Cross-references

User reference for opcache_compile_file()