# I'm a release manager for PHP 8.1!


By Ben Ramsey

Published on May 9, 2021


> [!NOTE]
> This post was originally published on [DEV](https://dev.to/ramsey/i-m-a-release-manager-for-php-8-1-24i2).

> [!IMPORTANT]
> My permanent blog at [benramsey.com](https://benramsey.com) is in a state where I am unable to update it. It’s a long story that involves versions of Ruby gems removed from the repository, trapping me in a tangled web of [Jekyll](https://jekyllrb.com) dependency hell, and I haven’t had the stomach to unravel it. In the meantime, I’ll be posting here at [dev.to/ramsey](https://dev.to/ramsey).

Last year, I tossed my hat in the ring to volunteer as a release manager for PHP 8.0, but I lost the vote to [Gabriel Caruso](https://github.com/carusogabriel), who has shown himself to be a very capable RM for the 8.0 series (congrats, Gabriel, and great work!). This year, when [Sara announced the RM selection process](https://externals.io/message/113334) for PHP 8.1, I almost decided against volunteering, but I finally decided to go for it, and I’m glad I did.

Each set of release managers is usually comprised of a veteran RM and a rookie. This year, when [Joe Watkins](https://github.com/krakjoe) volunteered as the veteran RM, he asked to take on two rookies. As a result, [Patrick Allaert](https://github.com/patrickallaert) and I were [both selected as rookie RMs for the 8.1 series](https://wiki.php.net/todo/php81).

PHP release managers manage the release process, create a roadmap for the release, facilitate discussions and decisions about what goes into a release, package the releases, etc. It’s a commitment of about three-and-a-half years, as they shepherd their minor version from alpha to beta to RC to GA to active support to security support and, finally, end-of-life. The [supported versions](https://www.php.net/supported-versions.php) page at php.net provides a good overview of this cycle.

You can read more about the PHP release process here:

* [Request for Comments: Release Process](https://wiki.php.net/rfc/releaseprocess)
* [PHP release process](https://github.com/php/php-src/blob/master/docs/release-process.md)

Additionally, [Eric Van Johnson](https://twitter.com/shocm) has published a three-part interview in *php\[architect\]* magazine with PHP 8.0 release managers Sara Golemon and Gabriel Caruso. They go into a lot of the specifics.

* [Community Corner: PHP 8 Release Managers: Interview with Sara Golemon and Gabriel Caruso, Part 1](https://www.phparch.com/article/community-corner-php-8-release-managers-interview-with-sara-golemon-and-gabriel-caruso-part-1/)
* [Part 2](https://www.phparch.com/article/community-corner-php-8-release-managers-interview-with-sara-golemon-and-gabriel-caruso-part-two/)
* [Part 3](https://www.phparch.com/article/community-corner-php-8-release-managers-interview-with-sara-golemon-and-gabriel-caruso-part-three/)

Thank you so much to everyone for entrusting me to serve as one of the release managers for PHP 8.1! I look forward to working with Joe and Patrick over the next three-and-a-half years.