PHP 7 ....

[lemur21]

Hello,

Let me start off by saying -- I am not a techie. I'm someone who has learned a bit -- usually through trial and error (and, honestly, more error).

I received a bill from my host, today, charging me $9 (per month!) because my site is still running PHP 5.6 (never mind this was the first I'd heard of an upcoming charge .... communication/customer service has never been a strong suit for them).

I functionally have two weeks to get my site up to PHP 7.2 - or find another host (I guess). I run SMF 2.0.11 (and, I really should upgrade to 2.0.15, I guess).

Is this a simple process? Do I literally just have to give the okay on my hosting side to upgrade to PHP 7.2 - and everything *should* work? Or, are there things I need to do to facilitate that transition?

Let me say again: I am not a techie

Thank you in advance! I've always had tremendous success with these forums!

Chris

[Arantor]

7.2 is not supported by SMF 2.0.

7.0 is supported but you need to upgrade to at least 2.0.14 first. You ca safely upgrade on 5.6 through to 2.0.15.

[lemur21]

OK - So I upgrade to 2.0.14 ... (might as well do 2.0.15)

And then - upgrade to 7 on my hosting site ... and everything *should* work? (or, if it doesn't, it can potentially be troubleshot?)

I just would prefer to not see it all just go *poof* - Any steps you can recommend to avoid a complete disaster?

[Arantor]

You can upgrade to 7.0 just fine.

Take a backup first, just in case, but I can't imagine what could go wrong, and if anything does we'll help you fix it.

[Louis]

There is an (unofficial) mod to make 2.0.x compatible with php 7.2+ available on https://web-develop.ca/index.php?action=downloads;area=stable_smf_modifications;file=48

It does work quite well, but it does not convert all mod code so YMMV

[lemur21]

It looks like my options are to upgrade to 7.1 (which has support through December of this year) or 7.2 (supported through December of *next* year) or 7.3 (supported through 2021).

[Arantor]

7.1 is fine.

7.2 will work but generate a lot of errors in the error log where code SMF uses is officially still usable but deprecated so each use generates a warning to remind you. Since that list includes every individual bbcode separately, every page load generates dozens of warnings, hence it is not supported.

Meanwhile SMF 2.1 (heading towards final release soon) supports 7.2 just fine.

[lemur21]

It was easy-peasy ... thanks all for your help!

I'm a little nervous about the switch/update to 2.1 -- because, unlike here (where I could turtle for a while), it looks like I won't have that luxury then :/