quote:
so, conclusion is that saying "CGI is slower than PHP" is false as PHP indeed is still CGI
Not quite, don't confuse the two.

CGI is a loose "standard" mechanism for running arbitrary programs. These may be compiled programs like VB or C++, or script like DOS batch files, PERL, PHP or indeed KiXtart.

PHP is not CGI. PHP may be used as CGI.

Running PHP in CGI mode will have the same disadvantage as any other programming or scripting language run in CGI mode.

Running PHP as an internal web server module has significant advantages - it is no longer running as a CGI.

Note Maskens caveat;
quote:
of course also depending on PHP implementation and OS
So,
  • PHP which is configured to run as a CGI is CGI, with associated problems.
  • PHP which is not configured to run as a CGI is not CGI, with associated benefits