Important Update: Transitioning from Skype

We wish to inform you that Microsoft will discontinue Skype services in May this year. While the Skype-Out feature will remain operational until the end of our contract in October 2025, we are actively exploring alternative communication options to serve our customers better.

In response to this change, we have already made some adjustments. Our website now features a dedicated Jitsi channel, providing a platform for peer-to-peer support as needed. Additionally, we plan to use Jitsi for our upcoming webinars.

We recognize the importance of accessibility through phone calls and consider various messaging options, including Signal and WhatsApp. However, there is no single standard that everyone uses. As a Dutch company, we also consider privacy considerations that align with EU GDPR laws. We will update you with our new contact information on our website as it becomes available.

As we navigate this transition, our commitment to keeping PHsPeed up to date and providing reliable support remains unchanged. Our support channels will remain active, and we will arrange web meetings through our Jitsi channel as necessary. We are dedicated to maintaining communication with our customers, whether you are a long-time user, new to PHsPeed, or have been using one of our other services.

Thank you for your understanding and support during this transitional period.

We have started developing PHsPeed version 4.0, which will remain fully compatible with your existing projects. No breaking changes in the runtime are expected. This update focuses on a modernized user interface, addressing issues with 4K resolution workstations. Since many developers work with multiple monitors, the new version will support 4K screens and introduce docking/undocking capabilities for the editor, form designer, and debug windows. Additionally, a new form designer and editor are being implemented.

Some of our valued customers have been invited to review the new design and eventually test the new version. We anticipate deploying the first mockups in May. A final release date has not yet been determined, as we continue to maintain the current 3.x branch. Version 3.6 is expected to be released in Q2. We believe this modernization will improve PHsPeed’s usability and ensure its relevance for years to come.

We will keep our users updated through our website blogs.

In this update, we addressed a few issues, updated the CEF libraries, and added new functions:

- It matters which sequence you choose if you create a master-detail form using the wizards. If the detail is created before the master, you will get errors while running the application. You had to correct that in the original situation by recreating or fiddling with the project source code. In the new version, you have two new functions in the toolbar of the component tree to allow components to shift up or down in the creation order. An additional advantage is that if you have the master detail panels in the wrong order, you can simply shift the panel up or down, depending on your selection, to get the sequence on the form designer right. Previously, you had to select the panel and drag it up or down, which worked, but choosing the correct one could be difficult as there are many objects.

- The field validation will be triggered if you delete a record from the wizard-generated crud form. This does not cause issues with data entered through that panel (required fields will always have a value), but if you have current invalidated data, this can cause issues. In this version, the validation is disabled when you select a record to be deleted.

To install for existing users, open the License Manager and select the incremental updates page. All the modules that require upgrading will be pre-selected. Click install. This should be a short proces.

What's next?

The upcoming release will focus on PHP 8.4, which will be released in a few weeks. We will start testing PHsPeed, and if no issues are found, we expect to release it in early January 2025. Currently, we run an RC 2 PHP version and a beta of XDebug without problems so far. But we need to verify everything as soon as the finals are released.

We also started developing PHsPeed version 4.0. This version will focus on simplifying and modernizing the IDE:

• A new editor. This editor allows for a tiny screen for faster access and a better function extraction display, and the form will be undockable for multi-screen development.
• A new forms designer and component palette. The tab system became overloaded with components, making design more complicated than necessary. The new system will have a dropdown on component type. The designer will improve on stability. Also, this form is undockable for multi-screen development.
• Full upgrade on CEF / Chromium browser.

Happy coding!