HHVM is a virtual machine for executing programs written in Hack that uses just-in-time compilation to achieve high performance.
The tool addresses the need for a runtime environment that combines execution speed with development flexibility. HHVM employs JIT compilation to optimize performance while allowing developers to write in Hack, a language designed for web development. The runtime can execute standalone programs directly or integrate with web servers through built-in Proxygen or FastCGI adapters, supporting deployment on nginx or Apache.
Developers should choose HHVM if they are building web applications in Hack and prioritize runtime performance. The tool suits projects where the combination of a statically-typed language with a high-performance JIT runtime is valuable. HHVM can run standalone Hack programs or power web applications through integration with existing web server infrastructure.
The project maintains active engagement with its user base, with nearly all open issues originating from external adopters rather than the core team, demonstrating substantial real-world usage. Maintainers respond to new issues and pull requests within a day.
