The Environmental Impact of PHP Compared To C++ On Facebook

Kensai7 writes "Recently, Facebook provided us with some information on their server park. They use about 30,000 servers, and not surprisingly, most of them are running PHP code to generate pages full of social info for their users. As they only say that 'the bulk' is running PHP, let's assume this to be 25,000 of the 30,000. If C++ would have been used instead of PHP, then 22,500 servers could be powered down (assuming a conservative ratio of 10 for the efficiency of C++ versus PHP code), or a reduction of 49,000 tons of CO2 per year. Of course, it is a bit unfair to isolate Facebook here. Their servers are only a tiny fraction of computers deployed world-wide that are interpreting PHP code."

Comments

Re:it's stoopid because

[Galactic Dominator]

You excrete shit as well. I suppose that sewage pond known as your mom's basement isn't polluted either.

Re:php is bad for the environment

[ls671]

> also get things done more than 10 times faster, than in C++.

For me, JSP and Java classes get things done more than 10 times faster than PHP. Heck, use struts and hibernate and you have just gained another 10 times and more security with regards to SQL injections and other topics.

Of course, there is a little of overhead in learning how to use the tools that, in my experience, I found most PHP developers are not willing to invest in. But once that overhead covered, it is done, you only have to learn it once..