PHP Extension and Application Repository (PEAR)

PEAR is a framework and distribution system for reusable PHP packages. PEAR is made up of the following:

• A structured library of open-source code for PHP developers
• A system for distributing and maintaining code in packages
• The PEAR Coding Standards (PCS)
• The PHP Foundation Classes (PFC)
• Online support for the PEAR community through a website and mailing list

The article continues at http://www.wdvl.com/Authoring/PHP/PEAR/pear.html