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Polyfill Apcu Laravel Package
symfony/polyfill-apcu
Symfony Polyfill for APCu: provides apcu_* functions and the APCuIterator class for projects relying on the legacy APC extension, enabling compatible caching APIs when APCu isn’t available or APC is used.
Symfony polyfill backporting apcu_* functions to lower PHP versions
Frequently asked questions about Polyfill Apcu
- How do I use symfony/polyfill-apcu with Laravel’s Cache facade for APCu storage?
- Install the package via Composer (`composer require symfony/polyfill-apcu`), then configure your `config/cache.php` to use the `apcu` driver. The polyfill will automatically backport APCu functions if the extension isn’t available. Example: `'driver' => 'apcu', 'use_polyfill' => env('APCU_POLYFILL', false)`.
- Will this work with Laravel 5.x or 6.x where APCu is hardcoded in config files?
- Yes, the polyfill is ideal for Laravel 5.x–6.x apps relying on APCu (e.g., `session.driver = 'apcu'`). It preserves existing functionality while enabling migration to modern solutions like Redis. No code changes are needed—just install the package and configure it in `.env` or `config/cache.php`.
- Can I restrict the polyfill to specific Laravel cache stores to avoid performance issues?
- Absolutely. Configure the polyfill per store in `config/cache.php` by setting `'use_polyfill' => true` only for non-critical stores (e.g., sessions or config caching). Critical stores like `redis` or `database` can remain unaffected. Example: `'stores' => ['apcu' => ['driver' => 'apcu', 'use_polyfill' => env('APCU_POLYFILL', false)]]`.
- What’s the performance impact of using this polyfill in production?
- The polyfill introduces 5–50× latency for high-frequency operations (e.g., request caching). Mitigate this by disabling it for performance-sensitive stores or using environment-based routing (e.g., `env('APCU_POLYFILL', false)` in production). Monitor with Laravel Telescope or Blackfire to benchmark impact.
- Does this polyfill support Laravel’s session driver for APCu?
- Yes, it works seamlessly with Laravel’s session driver if configured to use APCu. Set `'driver' => 'apcu'` in `config/session.php` and ensure the polyfill is enabled via `.env` (e.g., `APCU_POLYFILL=true`). The polyfill backports the required `apcu_*` functions for session storage.
- How do I test if the polyfill is working in Laravel?
- Use Laravel’s testing tools to verify functionality. For example, mock the `Cache` facade: `Cache::shouldReceive('get')->once()->andReturn('test');`. The polyfill is also compatible with PHPUnit and can be tested by checking if `apcu_fetch` or `apcu_store` functions are available after installation.
- Can I use this polyfill alongside Redis or Memcached in Laravel?
- Yes, the polyfill is designed for incremental migration. Configure multiple cache stores in `config/cache.php` (e.g., `apcu`, `redis`, `database`) and enable the polyfill only for APCu-dependent stores. This allows you to phase out APCu gradually while maintaining compatibility.
- What PHP versions does this polyfill support in Laravel?
- The polyfill supports PHP 5.3.2–8.x, aligning with Laravel’s supported versions (5.8–10.x). It’s backward-compatible with legacy Laravel apps running on older PHP versions where APCu isn’t available.
- Are there any serialization issues when using this polyfill with Laravel’s Cache?
- Yes, complex objects (e.g., closures, resources, or Laravel collections) may fail to serialize. Mitigate this by auditing cached objects or falling back to file-based caching for problematic types. Use Laravel’s `serialize()`/`unserialize()` helpers or configure a secondary cache store for high-risk data.
- How do I disable the polyfill in production if it’s causing issues?
- Disable it via environment variables in `.env` (e.g., `APCU_POLYFILL=false`) or update `config/cache.php` to set `'use_polyfill' => false` for specific stores. For a phased rollout, use feature flags or environment-based routing to gradually replace the polyfill with native APCu or Redis.
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