Articles by Sebastian Bergmann

The image shows a variety of colourful game pieces (such as those often used in board games) arranged on a surface with lines drawn on it connecting the pieces to each other. The pieces are in different colours (e.g. red, yellow, blue, green, purple, black) and stand at the intersections of a schematic network. The lines indicate that the pieces have relationships with or are connected to each other. The image thus visualises a network or web of relationships between different entities, which is often used to illustrate concepts such as networks, social relationships, teamwork or dependencies.

November 28, 2025

Testing with(out) dependencies

Why distinguishing between test stubs and mock objects in PHPUnit significantly improves the quality and readability of tests.

This image shows a stylised representation of a DNA double helix, with a single section highlighted. The DNA strands are shown in blue, while a short section of the base pairs and the associated connections glow red. The imagery communicates a mutation or targeted change at the molecular level, as applied in genetic analysis, mutation testing or biotechnological processing. The focused area could symbolise a mutation, repair or targeted intervention, as used in genetic research.

November 19, 2025

Path Coverage or Mutation Testing?

How thoroughly do your tests cover the code, and how reliably do they detect real errors? I show you how to find out.

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November 11, 2025

Open Source Blackout

Are you prepared for a world in which your projects freeze, deployments stall, and tech giants can no longer rely on free community-run infrastructure?

The picture shows a beautiful mountain landscape in the morning or evening light. In the foreground, you can see several dark, partly snow-covered ridges, while in the background, gently rolling hills and mountains disappear into the distance on several levels. The scene is shrouded in mist or haze, which enhances the colour gradient from violet to pink to bright yellow and finally blue in the sky. At the bottom right edge, a single person stands on a ridge with a walking stick, giving the image a particularly calm and impressive atmosphere.

November 5, 2025

More control, less friction: What's new in PHPUnit 12.4?

Discover how PHPUnit 12.4 helps you get there with less friction and more insight.

This image shows a modern graphic collage depicting stylised hands holding or passing several light bulbs. The light bulbs symbolise ideas and innovations, with their yellow colour immediately catching the eye and conveying a positive, creative impression.

October 29, 2025

Modern PHP Development

Modern PHP development combines proven principles with the latest tools. It brings together documentation, quality, automation, and AI.

The image shows a wooden staircase leading through dunes to the beach, running towards a sunrise or sunset. The years from 2026 to 2035 are painted large and white on the individual steps, as if symbolising the path to the future. At the end of the staircase, where the light is strongest, the journey seems to lead into the coming years, while the wide sky and calm sea in the background convey a peaceful, expansive mood.

October 22, 2025

A look ahead to 2035

I discuss key issues for the future relating to ethics, digital sovereignty, Open Source, and web standards.

The picture shows a light bulb lying on a wooden surface. The light bulb is lit and creates a warm atmosphere. Right next to the light bulb is a small pile of various old metal keys. The interplay between the glowing light bulb and the keys symbolically conveys the idea that ideas (light bulb) can be the key (bunch of keys) to new possibilities or solutions.

October 15, 2025

PHPUnit features that surprise even professionals

Discover the hidden capabilities of PHPUnit and learn how to get the most out of your tests with clever features.

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October 7, 2025

From AmigaBASIC to AI

A personal journey from my first lines of BASIC on the Amiga to the question of how AI will shape the next generation of developers.

The image shows several people working together to assemble a puzzle made up of yellow pieces that form the shape of a light bulb. The light bulb typically symbolises an idea or innovation. The scene takes place on a wooden table, which also holds a cup of coffee, a glass of water, an open laptop and some documents. The people's hands are visible as they fit the puzzle pieces together, illustrating collaboration and teamwork.

September 1, 2025

Innovation through collaboration: The highlights of PHPUnit 12.3

Discover how collaboration with real-world developers has shaped the latest advancements in PHPUnit 12.3.

Workspace with various tools that are often used for precise manual work, model making or handicrafts

June 16, 2025

Psalm or PHPStan?

Psalm or PHPStan: which tool is the better choice for code analysis? Or is it worth combining both tools for maximum code quality?

A person wearing a backpack stands on a rocky ledge overlooking a range of green mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky.

June 8, 2025

30 Years of PHP, 25 Years of PHPUnit

I look back on 30 years of open source innovations.

Collaborative prioritisation of quality goals with LASR

May 10, 2025

ComoCamp 2025

I am thrilled by the inspiring workshops, exciting open space sessions and the uniquely open, collaborative atmosphere of ComoCamp.

August 25, 2024

SoCraTes 2024

SoCraTes has enriched and motivated me in a lasting way through inspiring discussions, exciting sessions on topics such as PHP, software testing, security and open-source funding, as well as the special, collaborative atmosphere.

Tool wall on which a variety of hand tools are neatly arranged

June 25, 2024

PHP_CodeSniffer or PHP-CS-Fixer?

Should PHP_CodeSniffer or PHP-CS-Fixer be used to get code "in shape"? Should both tools even be used together?

A man is sitting on a dune covered with dry grass. He appears pensive or perhaps even sad, as he rests his head on his arm with one hand while looking down.

March 22, 2024

PCOV or Xdebug?

Should you use PCOV or Xdebug to collect code coverage data? I give a personal answer.

The image shows a panoramic view of a harbour with a train on an elevated railway bridge in the foreground. On the left is a modern building with a striking glass façade, which is the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg. In the background, several ships and cranes can be seen, indicating port activity. The weather is cloudy but bright, suggesting late afternoon or early evening. The scene appears both calm and industrial.

March 11, 2024

PHPUnit Code Sprint: March 2024

I recollect my experience at the PHPUnit project's most recent code sprint.

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November 28, 2022

PHP 7: Security Support Ends. Now what?

Security support for PHP 7 has ended. What does this mean for you?

The image shows a cork notice board with a yellow sticky note attached to it with two red pins. The note has a stylised light bulb drawn on it, representing an idea or a flash of inspiration. The light bulb is surrounded by short lines symbolising rays of light, reinforcing the image of creative inspiration or a brainwave.

April 4, 2022

How I manage test fixture

I reflect on why I no longer write setUp() methods.

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August 2, 2021

Ready Or Not, Here It Comes

Is your software ready for PHP 8.1? Now is the time to find out.

April 21, 2021

Do not mock what you do not own

If you use abstractions you don't own, testing may be difficult.

The image depicts a tranquil seascape at sunset or sunrise. The water's surface reflects the warm colours of the sky, which glows in shades of orange, yellow, blue and violet. Several birds can be seen flying in the sky, creating a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. The silhouettes of the birds stand out clearly against the colourful horizon, emphasising the vastness and tranquillity of the scene. In the background, a dark headland or coastline can be seen, completing the picture.

February 8, 2021

Migrating to PHPUnit 9

In the tension between backward compatibility and progress, a good developer experience must not be neglected.

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October 8, 2020

Caching makes everything faster. Right?

While working on PHPUnit, I encountered an interesting problem.

The image shows two chess pieces on a light, almost white background. The central piece, a black king, stands upright. Next to it lies another king – presumably white – on its side, apparently defeated. The scene appears minimalistic and focuses exclusively on this symbolic moment, which is often interpreted as representing victory and defeat.

July 6, 2020

Failing IT Projects

I explain how we can learn from failed IT projects.

The image shows an analogue wall clock with a yellow frame hanging on a white wall. The time is approximately 6:50 p.m. The clock face has a simple design and the background of the clock and the wall are white, giving the image a very minimalist look. There is a lot of empty space on the left, while the clock is located on the right side of the image.

June 5, 2020

Who wound the clock?

I explain why PHPUnit no longer looks at the clock.

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February 21, 2020

PHPUnit: A Security Risk?

The long story of a security problem that should not have been one.

In the picture, a man in a suit is sitting outdoors at a table in front of a laptop. He has raised both hands in frustration and is looking up. His facial expression appears desperate or annoyed. The scene is set on an empty street with benches and buildings in the background. There is also a coffee cup on the table in front of him.

February 10, 2020

Help! My tests stopped working

Running tests at the touch of a button is a great thing. Updating the testing tool at the touch of a button also sounds promising – or perhaps not?

The image shows a concrete wall with a rough surface and visible horizontal lines and joints. Shadows fall on it, forming patterns, presumably from plants or leaves. The shadows create an interesting interplay of light and dark, giving the image a calm, natural atmosphere.

February 1, 2019

Blast from the Past

Package managers are worthwhile targets, even if no one uses them anymore. Background information on the breach of the PEAR infrastructure of the PHP project.