[tldr] If you are in a position to, please donate Ryan’s GoFundMe Donations Page Observability is one of these critical areas that has evolved from a nice-to-have into an absolute must-have, particularly in complex application environments. It’s about putting oneself in a situation where you can witness your application behaving, all to improve, control, and enforce its performance. Some see observability as a temporary firefighting tool you use as a last resort. Some even wish it would work as a fortune teller, preventing you from doing any investigative work.  Blackfire is a unique opin ..read more

Time is undoubtedly the most significant constraint and limitation in our fast-paced industry. The quest for performance optimization, often delayed by time constraints, usually gains momentum following a near-fatal crash and the urgent realization of the need for speed and efficiency. It’s reminiscent of the White Rabbit in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, perpetually racing against time, a vivid metaphor for our constant battle to make timely, impactful decisions in a field where delays can be costly, “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!” In today’s installment, we delve into the transfo ..read more

Continuous profiling is a powerful observability feature combining profiling and monitoring with minimal overhead. The continuous profiler involves the periodic capture of data at specified intervals. It gathers information on the functions or services that are triggered by any active request or script during those intervals. It enables developers to gain deep insights into their application’s behavior, identify bottlenecks, and optimize code for better performance and resource utilization. This proactive approach allows for quicker identification and resolution of performance issues, ensuring ..read more

Many paths to performance optimization begin in the aftermath of a significant crisis—a situation that, in hindsight, could often have been easily avoided. Frequently serving as a harsh lesson in the importance of proactive measures. Naturally, the ideal approach is to prevent such crises from occurring in the first place, rather than waiting for them to propel us into action.  Implementing a robust crisis management strategy with Blackfire at its core revolves around three critical actions and questions that help organizations stay ahead of potential issues: Prevention: how can we proac ..read more

We’re thrilled to announce the immediate availability of a new Linux ARM Python probe. This is in addition to our existing support for various platforms including Linux x86(Debian, Redhat, and Archlinux), macOS (ARM Mx and x86), FreeBSD, and Windows (including WLS). The ARM architecture is increasingly becoming a cornerstone in modern computing, recognized for its efficiency and lower power consumption. This makes it a preferred choice for a wide range of applications, from cloud and hyperscale computing to IoT devices.  In contrast to the widely used x86 server architecture, which featur ..read more

Performance in web development is no luxury, but it is the utmost necessity. Often sidelined or considered in hindsight, performance must be at the forefront of web application development. This is where Blackfire steps in, redefining the approach to web development by integrating performance as a core component from the beginning. Performance is the cornerstone of user experience. A slow or unresponsive website can frustrate users, leading to higher bounce rates and lost opportunities. Performance affects everything from user engagement and conversion rates to SEO rankings. Various studies ha ..read more

I recently had the privilege of speaking at SymfonyCon 2023 in Brussels. In my talk, I delved into a topic that deeply resonates with us developers and tech leaders: the transformative power of continuous observability in application development. The challenge: breaking the endless vicious hotfix circle In the fast-paced world of web app development, it’s all too common to find ourselves trapped in reactive mode, constantly firefighting issues as they arise. So often, we put more effort into fixing our applications than adding new functionality and improving their user experience. This endless ..read more

We’re thrilled to announce that Blackfire, your go-to continuous observability solution, now fully supports PHP 8.3. This latest version of PHP brings enhancements and new features, promising to elevate your development experience. We encourage all users to upgrade their Blackfire Probe to the latest version to leverage these advancements. What’s new in PHP 8.3? PHP 8.3 is a significant leap forward. Here are some key features: Typed class constants: PHP 8.3 introduces explicit typing for class constants, ensuring better code reliability and preventing unintended types. Dynamic class constant ..read more

Black Friday often strikes more fear into the hearts of developers and engineering teams than any haunted house ever could. There are no costumes, no trick-or-treating. Instead, many lay awake, hoping that the hidden ghosts in their code remain shrouded, especially as applications grapple with the immense load of one of the busiest times of the year. Blackfire is designed to bring light into the darkness and make visible what is hidden inside applications and codebase.  It’s about extinguishing potential fires before they flare up and ensuring long-term stability. Operations should remain ..read more

Observability goes beyond mere performance metrics. It isn’t just about the pursuit of speed. It is about the empowerment to remain consistently in control at all times. Observability ensures that resources are optimally allocated and utilized, allowing your applications to consistently deliver top-tier service quality, even during rush hours and challenging times. That’s why we’re excited to share one of our latest features: Top Transactions Breakdown. This addition promises not only to enhance your observability game, but to also provide deep, actionable insights. Observability with a bigger ..read more