Pear
Pear is a package manager for PHP that facilitates the installation, distribution, and management of reusable PHP components and libraries. It provides a command-line interface for developers to easily discover, install, and update packages from a central repository, streamlining dependency management in PHP projects. Originally developed as the PHP Extension and Application Repository, it helps maintain code consistency and reduces manual setup efforts.
Developers should learn and use Pear when working on legacy PHP projects or in environments where it is still in use, as it was a standard tool for PHP dependency management before Composer became dominant. It is particularly useful for installing system-wide PHP extensions or libraries that require global availability, such as PEAR packages like PHPUnit or Mail. However, for modern PHP development, Composer is generally preferred due to its superior dependency resolution and project-specific management.