Download PHP 5.1.0 beta 3

The third beta version of the 5.1.0 branch has been available for download on the PHP site for several days now. The 5.1.0 series is currently being tested to improve on a number of new features, including a native database abstraction layer and improved performance of PHP in combination with Zend Engine II. PHP 5.1.0 beta 3 is via this page downloadable in different packages for different platforms. Below are the new features that will be tested in the new PHP version:

Some of the key improvements of PHP 5.1 include:

• PDO (PHP Data Objects) – A new native database abstraction layer providing performance, ease-of-use, and flexibility.
• Significantly improved language performance mainly due to the new Zend Engine II execution architecture.
• The PCRE extension has been updated to PCRE 5.0.
• Many more improvements including lots of new functionality & many bug fixes, especially in regards to SOAP, streams and SPL.
• See the bundled NEWS file for a more complete list of changes.