# Minimum PHP Version Required for SunLicense in PHP License Key Generator

> Discover the minimum PHP version needed for SunLicense. Learn how to generate and validate license keys with PHP 5.5 or newer for the msbatal PHP License Key Generator.

- Repository: [Mehmet Selcuk Batal/php-license-key-generator](https://github.com/msbatal/php-license-key-generator)
- Tags: api-reference
- Published: 2026-03-07

---

**SunLicense requires PHP 5.5 or newer to generate and validate license keys.**

The `SunLicense` class is a lightweight license key generator distributed in the `msbatal/php-license-key-generator` repository. According to the source code analysis, this library maintains broad compatibility by relying only on core PHP functions available since PHP 5.5, making it suitable for legacy environments while remaining functional on modern PHP versions.

## Where the PHP Version Requirement is Documented

The minimum PHP version required for SunLicense is explicitly stated in two locations within the repository.

### SunLicense.php Source Comment

In the core class file, the version constraint appears at line 26:

```php
// SunLicense.php line 26
// PHP 5.5+ required

```

This inline documentation confirms that the class implementation targets PHP 5.5 as its baseline compatibility level.

### README.md Installation Guide

The project documentation reinforces this requirement at line 26 of [`README.md`](https://github.com/msbatal/php-license-key-generator/blob/main/README.md), ensuring users verify their environment before installation. The consistency between the source comments and documentation eliminates ambiguity about system requirements.

## Verifying PHP Version Compatibility

Before implementing SunLicense, confirm your runtime meets the minimum PHP version requirement using `version_compare()`:

```php
// Verify PHP 5.5+ compatibility
if (version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '5.5.0', '<')) {
    die('SunLicense requires PHP 5.5 or higher.');
}

require_once 'SunLicense.php';

$license = new SunLicense();
echo $license->generate();

```

This check prevents runtime errors by validating the environment before loading the class.

## Core Functions and PHP 5.5 Compatibility

SunLicense achieves broad compatibility by utilizing only fundamental PHP functions introduced before version 5.5. The implementation relies on:

- **`rand()`** – Generates random integers for key segments
- **`chr()`** – Converts ASCII values to characters  
- **`in_array()`** – Validates array membership during key generation

Since these functions have remained stable since PHP 5.5, the library avoids dependencies on newer language features while maintaining predictable behavior across PHP 5.5 through 8.x environments.

## Practical Usage Examples for PHP 5.5+

The following examples demonstrate SunLicense functionality on any PHP version meeting the minimum requirement.

### Generating a Single License Key

```php
require_once 'SunLicense.php';

$license = new SunLicense();      // default parameters
echo $license->generate();        // outputs formatted license key

```

### Batch Key Generation

To generate multiple keys simultaneously, pass the quantity parameter to the constructor:

```php
require_once 'SunLicense.php';

$license = new SunLicense(null, null, null, 5); // request 5 keys
$keys = $license->generate();                   // returns array

foreach ($keys as $key) {
    echo $key . PHP_EOL;
}

```

Both examples execute identically on PHP 5.5 and newer versions.

## Summary

- **SunLicense requires PHP 5.5 or newer**, as documented in [`SunLicense.php`](https://github.com/msbatal/php-license-key-generator/blob/main/SunLicense.php) line 26 and [`README.md`](https://github.com/msbatal/php-license-key-generator/blob/main/README.md) line 26.
- The library uses only core PHP functions (`rand()`, `chr()`, `in_array()`) available since PHP 5.5.
- Verify compatibility using `version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '5.5.0', '<')` before instantiation.
- No additional extensions or PHP 7+ features are required for basic license key generation.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the minimum PHP version required for SunLicense?

SunLicense requires **PHP 5.5 or newer**. This requirement is explicitly documented at line 26 in both [`SunLicense.php`](https://github.com/msbatal/php-license-key-generator/blob/main/SunLicense.php) and [`README.md`](https://github.com/msbatal/php-license-key-generator/blob/main/README.md) within the `msbatal/php-license-key-generator` repository.

### Does SunLicense work with PHP 8?

Yes, SunLicense is forward-compatible with PHP 8.x versions. While the minimum PHP version required is 5.5, the library functions (`rand()`, `chr()`, `in_array()`) remain supported in modern PHP releases without modification.

### Which PHP functions does SunLicense depend on?

The implementation relies on core functions available since PHP 5.5: `rand()` for random number generation, `chr()` for character conversion, and `in_array()` for array validation. These stable, built-in functions ensure consistent behavior across PHP versions.

### How do I check if my server meets the SunLicense PHP requirements?

Use the `version_compare()` function to validate your environment before loading the class:

```php
if (version_compare(PHP_VERSION, '5.5.0', '<')) {
    die('SunLicense requires PHP 5.5 or higher.');
}

```

This verification ensures your PHP installation meets the minimum version required for SunLicense operations.