Maintaining PHP Build infrastructure for Windows: Tooling for builds and security updates

Most PHP developers never think about how PHP is built. They download it or install it using a command or a pre-built image and get started with their work. That is exactly how it should feel. A build system is doing its job when the final result looks great and works as expected. Behind every official PHP for Windows release is a lot of infrastructure: compilers, SDKs, dependency libraries, extension compatibility, CI pipelines, and security updates that keep the supported PHP versions…