On the IBuildings bog today Ivo Jansch looks at a new step in PHP's evolution - its jump up into the top three on the TIOBE programming index (language popularity):

In their latest analysis PHP has entered the top 3 of most popular programming languages, and that is something that both makes us proud and provides further proof that PHP is still growing and here to stay. [...] What makes PHP's number 3 position remarkable is that the numbers 1 and 2 are very much general purpose languages. Java and C are pretty much used from anywhere from low level processes to desktop applications.

Some of the other languages in their top ten (according to their indexing tools) include Perl, Python, Ruby and Javascript.

Jakob Westhoff has posted about a birthday one of the PHP user groups is celebrating - the PHP Usergroup Dortmund:

I'm writing this blog article from the HiccUp Dortmund, where our birthday meeting takes place. [...] Nearly all our oldies are present today to commemorate this anniversary.

You can get more information on the group and the wheres and whens of their next meetup over on the user group's page (including links to current information about several of the group's members).

As previously mentioned, Nick Halstead will be revealing the top three places in the results from the programming competition he was hosting. Today starts the top three list with third place - an entry from Karol Grecki:

I was really impressed with Karol's entry and if it was not for the fact that it did not 'run out of the box' it would have been a close cut thing to be the winner. The fact is that because it was a pain to get running the two other judges only gave it 1 point each.

Karol's website or just download the code and play along at home.

As previously mentioned, Nick Halstead will be revealing the top three places in the results from the programming competition he was hosting. Today starts the top three list with third place - an entry from Karol Grecki:

I was really impressed with Karol's entry and if it was not for the fact that it did not 'run out of the box' it would have been a close cut thing to be the winner. The fact is that because it was a pain to get running the two other judges only gave it 1 point each.

Karol's website or just download the code and play along at home.

On PHP.net today, there's a note about an addition to the O'Reilly classic book (an asset to any developer's library) "Mastering Regular Expressions" - a full 48-page chapter on PHP.

The book is described as:

Mastering Regular Expressions quickly covers the basics of regular-expression syntax, then delves into the mechanics of expression-processing, common pitfalls, performance issues, and implementation-specific differences. Written in an engaging style and sprinkled with solutions to complex real-world problems, Mastering Regular Expressions offers a wealth information that you can put to immediate use.

This new edition is the third release for the book.

On PHP.net today, there's a note about an addition to the O'Reilly classic book (an asset to any developer's library) "Mastering Regular Expressions" - a full 48-page chapter on PHP.

The book is described as:

Mastering Regular Expressions quickly covers the basics of regular-expression syntax, then delves into the mechanics of expression-processing, common pitfalls, performance issues, and implementation-specific differences. Written in an engaging style and sprinkled with solutions to complex real-world problems, Mastering Regular Expressions offers a wealth information that you can put to immediate use.

This new edition is the third release for the book.

Via PHP.net today, there's information about the Third Bulgarian PHP Conference, happening June 2006 in Sofia.

The third Web Technology conference and Expo in Bulgaria will be held in June 2006 in the city of Sofia. Within its framework, the Third Bulgarian PHP Conference will be held. The event will take place on the 30th of June and the 1st of July at the conference area of the Kempinski Hotel Zografski.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the new tendencies in this direction and to popularize the internet technologies in the spheres of business, education, and services. The range of subjects includes technologies like PHP, Perl, business systems through web, education through the internet, and others.

They have a few PHP talks listed so far, from Derick Rethans, Bogomil Shopov, and Marko Hassinen covering topics like PHP6, XML-RPC, and authentication/digital signatures. They are still running their Early Bird Special ($40 USD), but it only lasts until April 2nd - so register today!

Via PHP.net today, there's information about the Third Bulgarian PHP Conference, happening June 2006 in Sofia.

The third Web Technology conference and Expo in Bulgaria will be held in June 2006 in the city of Sofia. Within its framework, the Third Bulgarian PHP Conference will be held. The event will take place on the 30th of June and the 1st of July at the conference area of the Kempinski Hotel Zografski.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the new tendencies in this direction and to popularize the internet technologies in the spheres of business, education, and services. The range of subjects includes technologies like PHP, Perl, business systems through web, education through the internet, and others.

They have a few PHP talks listed so far, from Derick Rethans, Bogomil Shopov, and Marko Hassinen covering topics like PHP6, XML-RPC, and authentication/digital signatures. They are still running their Early Bird Special ($40 USD), but it only lasts until April 2nd - so register today!