Why would I favor Zend Encoder over POBS?
Since I try to be objective and do not claim that POBS is the greatest invention since sliced bread, I guess there certainly are advantages to an encoder like Zend Encoder or Microcode (see “Links”). If the machine, and not just a directory, that runs your program is controlled by you, you can install an encoder. The advantage of an encoder is that it obfuscates everything. It may be compared to zipping your PHP files with a password on top of it. POBS obfuscates user-defined variables, functions and constants. Not standard PHP functions, variables or constants. Also, POBS does not obfuscate database passwords or encryption methods that are used inside your PHP program. And it doesn’t obfuscate standard text. Also, Zend or Microcode do not require your code to be adjusted. And you know it will work as intended.
