Hi, I experimented with PCRE2 and created https://github.com/php/php-src/pull/2857 . So far the implementation covers all the core functionality depending on libpcre. It adds no new userland features, only the existing functionality is mapped for now. The internal API is to the big part compatible, though some changed accordingly to the new requirements. Some internal refactoring is yet ongoing to have a cleaner and better tuned patch.
Perhaps it's time to move to PCRE2, as PCRE is an ancient bugfix only version. If done, of course it'll create a certain hurdle for non core and older distro versions, but in return we get a modern API which allows for better maintanance, security and opens the door for new features. Regarding performance - from what i could observe PCRE2 is at least not slower. The PR shows, that PCRE2 can serve same way PCRE does. I'd suggest to integrate PCRE2 into 7.3. Will go for an RFC, if necessary. Regards Anatol
