What is PEAR in PHP? What are the changes in PHP versions?

[Broot]

I have been asked in the interview about the PEAR in PHP, I was totally unaware about the PEAR, can anyone tell me what is PEAR? and what are the changes in PHP versions? Please let me know, this will be addon help in my PHP knowledge..

[Luther]

PEAR is the next revolution in PHP. PEARL is a higher programming language, which allows a comfortable, secure and almost processor independent programming of multitasking- and realtime problems. This repository is bringing higher level programming to PHP. PEAR is a framework and distribution system for reusable PHP components. A structured library of open-sourced code for PHP users, A system for code distribution and package maintenance, A standard style for code written in PHP.

[BoanHed]

The code in PEAR is partitioned in "packages". Each package is a separate project with its own development team, version number, release cycle, documentation and a defined relation to other packages (including dependencies). And talking about the changes in PHP versions here they are, php3 released in 1998 having features like accessing diff databse servers,protocols,supporting some object orientation concepts. php4 released in 1999.

[Addison_12]

PERL: is a scripting language used for web site development. PEAR is short for "PHP Extension and Application Repository" and is pronounced just like the fruit. The purpose of PEAR is to provide:

• A structured library of open-sourced code for PHP users
• A system for code distribution and package maintenance

php5 in 2004 having features like constructors,destructors,interfaces,abstract
classes,public private and protected variables