.PHAR File Extension

File packaged in the PHAR (PHP Archive) format, which can be created using the Phar PHP class; stores a collection of files and supports bzip2 and gzip compression as well as a checksums for the archive; used for distributing and running PHP applications using a single file.

PHAR files are similar to Java's .JAR files and can be run using PHP. An example of a common PHP application that is distributed as a PHAR archive is PEAR (PHP Extension and Application Repository), a package manager for PHP extensions.

PHP Archive files are compatible with APC (Alternative PHP Cache), an "opcode cache" that optimizes application performance by caching the compiled versions of code. phpMyAdmin, a commonly-used front end for MySQL, has been measured with a 6x speedup when run as a PHAR file.

NOTE: Phar, the PHP component that reads and writes PHAR files, is included with PHP 5.3.

A PHAR file may also be a plug-in used with PocketMine-MP, a program used to create private Minecraft servers. It contains text and binary code that allows players to extend and customize their servers. PHAR files are typically downloaded from the Poggit Release plug-in platform.

Minecraft players who want to play with their friends can play together on online servers. While most players play on officially-supported servers, others host their own servers. PocketMine-MP is a program Minecraft: Bedrock Edition players can use to host their own servers.

One of the benefits of playing on an unofficial server is that players can install server-specific plug-ins that allow them to extend and customize Minecraft's gameplay. For example, players can install plug-ins that allow them to teleport, change their characters' size, or play custom game modes. PocketMine-MP allows players to install these sorts of plug-ins, which are saved in PHAR files.

For the most part, PocketMine-MP users download PHAR files from the Poggit Release plug-in platform, located at poggit.pmmp.io. Poggit Release contains hundreds of PocketMine-MP plug-ins.

To install a PHAR file as a PocketMine-MP plug-in, place the file in PocketMine-MP's plugins folder. The next time you start PocketMine-MP, your PHAR file will appear as an available plug-in.