A couple of months ago, I wrote about NuSphere’s PhpDock; a deployment platform that allowed PHP developers to package up their scripts and have them run as desktop applications. For PHP developers like me, this seemed to be the key that could open up a whole host of new possibilities. Unfortunately, any source code deployed would have been easily accessible unless some form of code obfuscation was employed e.g. CodeLock.
If you’re like me and you’re able to develop using languages such as PHP, but you couldn’t put together a desktop application to save your life then here’s some news that might open up a world of opportunities for you.
NuSphere, the creators of the PHP editor, PhpEd, have released PhpDock; a deployment platform for PHP scripts. What this means is that PHP scripts distributed with PhpDock will run on a Windows computer without the need for a separate webserver or even an Internet connection.
With an Internet connection, your PHP desktop applications can do all of the usual things that server-based PHP applications can do e.g. interact with other websites and make use of web services.
One of the big benefits of distributing a PHP script as a desktop application instead of running it from your server is that no matter how many users there are, they won’t use your bandwidth or overload your server. It also makes it easier for the less technically minded to use your script because they won’t need to install it onto their own hosting accounts.
So instead of running a subscription service from your website, you could package up your application and just include a licensing check on start-up. If your service interacts with other websites e.g. for directory submission, then you don’t run the risk of having your server’s IP address blocked due to over use. Instead, the submissions will be from individual user IP addresses.
There are so many possibilities, my mind is boggled! 
Technorati Tags: Desktop PHP Applications, PHP Scripts
