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PHP llhttp Extension

A PHP extension that provides high-performance HTTP parsing using the llhttp C library. This extension offers a simple, direct API for parsing HTTP requests and responses with excellent performance.

Features

• High Performance: Built on the fast llhttp C library used by Node.js
• Simple API: Clean, direct method calls without complex event systems
• Object-Oriented: Modern PHP interface with intuitive methods
• Request & Response Parsing: Support for both HTTP requests and responses
• Built-in Data Collection: Automatic header, URL, and body collection
• Memory Efficient: Streaming parser that handles large HTTP messages
• State Management: Reset and reuse parsers efficiently

Installation

Requirements

• PHP 8.0 or higher
• PHP development headers (php-dev package)
• C compiler (gcc/clang)
• autotools (autoconf, automake, libtool)

Install with PIE

PIE (PHP Installer for Extensions) is the recommended installation method.

Build from Source

Usage

Basic HTTP Request Parsing

HTTP Response Parsing

Streaming Parsing

Auto-Detection with TYPE_BOTH

Parser State Management

API Reference

Parser Class

Constructor

• new Parser(int $type) - Create a new parser
  • Parser::TYPE_BOTH - Auto-detect request or response (flexible parsing)
  • Parser::TYPE_REQUEST - Parse HTTP requests only
  • Parser::TYPE_RESPONSE - Parse HTTP responses only

Parsing Methods

• parse(string $data): void - Parse HTTP data chunk
• parseComplete(): void - Signal end of data (optional)
• reset(): void - Reset parser state for reuse

HTTP Information Methods

• getHttpMajor(): int - Get HTTP major version
• getHttpMinor(): int - Get HTTP minor version
• getMethod(): int - Get HTTP method code (for requests)
• getMethodName(): string - Get HTTP method name (for requests)
• getStatusCode(): int - Get status code (for responses)
• getUrl(): string - Get request URL (for requests)
• shouldKeepAlive(): bool - Check if connection should be kept alive
• messageNeedsEof(): bool - Check if message needs EOF

Data Access Methods

• getHeaders(): array - Get all parsed headers as array
• getHeader(string $name): ?string - Get specific header value (case-insensitive)
• getBody(): string - Get request/response body

State Methods

• isComplete(): bool - Check if parsing is complete
• getState(): int - Get current parser state
  • Parser::STATE_INIT - Initial state
  • Parser::STATE_PARSING - Currently parsing
  • Parser::STATE_COMPLETE - Parsing complete
  • Parser::STATE_ERROR - Error occurred

ErrorCodes Class

HTTP parsing error constants (see llhttp documentation for complete list).

Exception Handling

Testing

Run the test suite:

Performance

This extension leverages the llhttp C library for maximum performance:

• Zero-copy parsing where possible
• Minimal memory allocations
• Optimized state machine implementation
• Direct C integration without FFI overhead
• Used in production by Node.js

Architecture

The extension follows a streamlined, object-oriented design:

• Direct Method Calls: Simple, intuitive API without complex event systems
• Automatic Data Collection: Headers, URL, and body are collected automatically
• State Management: Clean state tracking with reset/reuse capability
• Memory Efficient: Proper cleanup and efficient string handling

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• llhttp - The underlying HTTP parser

• PHP Extension Development documentation

• [ ] Add arginfo declarations for better reflection support
• [ ] Performance benchmarks vs other PHP HTTP parsers
• [ ] Additional utility methods for URL parsing
• [ ] Enhanced duplicate header handling
• [ ] Package for PECL distribution
• [ ] Comprehensive documentation and examples