Implementing lisp in PHP would be like trying to theme your Windows 98 system to look like OS X. Yes, it's theoretically possible, and would increase the number of pieces of hardware on which your pretty UI could run, but it pretty much defeats the point of working in a Lisp to begin with.
You'd also give up the rich set of libraries and add-ons that are the real only argument for PHP.
Plus, there's the fact that the built-in Arc application server assumes a persistent, threaded server process is running throughout the lifespan of your application. PHP scripts are a one-shot deal; any local state is thrown away after each page request unless you explicitly serialize it to the session, database, or another persistent store.
Now, if you want a different surface syntax atop PHP, that's another question entirely. You certainly couldn't do much worse than what's there now.
the rich set of libraries and add-ons that are the real only argument for PHP.
The other argument being that you can run PHP on just about any shared host out there.
Plus, there's the fact that the built-in Arc application server assumes a persistent, threaded server process is running throughout the lifespan of your application. PHP scripts are a one-shot deal...
Nobody said it was easy, but is it possible?
I guess what it comes down to is that anyone using a shared host isn't really "serious" enough to be writing an app in Arc to begin with.
Of course it's possible. The question is whether it's a worthwhile use of valuable hacking time.
I also don't suspect it's a particularly interesting problem for the people most likely to be able to tackle it effectively. Now, a native Arc compiler for x86/AMD64, that would be a nice widget to have.
