Sometimes you need to do something on behalf of your user that takes a little time. Or a lot of time. Whether it’s processing an uploaded CSV file or re-encoding a video, Gearman can help you do it without making them wait.
–by Davey Shafik

Last time, I discussed encryption methodologies and how important these algorithms are for the modern day internet. Another concept of equal importance is compression. Without it, the internet would not be capable of handling the amount of data it is handling nowadays. We probably never would have seen sites like YouTube or would have had streaming video. DVD movies were impossible and MP3-players with 100+ hours of music would be something only sci-fi writers could come up with. But how does one compress data and how can we make sure that we get it back to the original format again? Let’s find out by analyzing one of today’s most commonly used compression algorithms. –by Joshua Thijssen

As developers, we use tests to exercise the internal functions of our code, but project stakeholders that do not speak our technical language give us requirements in a different language. Translating their shoulds, woulds and wills into runnable tests is a task for a Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) framework. This article looks at two BDD framework options for PHP developers, PHPUnit and Behat. –by Jeff Carouth

“Shhh, guess what I heard about lambdas in PHP?”, a voice whispered. Despite feeling apprehensive and having misgivings, I nervously inquired, “What?” The speaker, hidden in the shadows, replied, “That’s for me to know and you to discover!” –by Sharon Levy

Given the small size and transactional nature of the web, how do Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles apply? Learn how OOP can make even your simplest pages easier to maintain. –by John M. Stokes

And now for something slightly different… In my last column, I promised that I would let go of ”Zend_Filter_Input” in favor of a different Zend Framework component. Both of my first two columns were about bugs in this component, so it was time for a change. While working on one of my projects, I came across issue ZF-8193. It is an issue I intend to close without fixing any code. –by Bart McLeod

Sub-communities are healthy as long as they are still benefiting from participation in the larger group. –by Stefan Koopmanschap

In this age of social media integration, what are you really adding to your site? –by Arne Blankerts

The app market has exploded and developers in droves have jumped in, hoping to acquire a few dollars. Some have, some haven’t, but what they all have received is a large target, square on their foreheads. –by Marco Tabini

Sometimes everyone needs a little reminder about why they started a relationship in the first place. –by Elizabeth Tucker Long