This is a library package that includes the PHP Markdown parser and its sibling PHP Markdown Extra with additional features. Originally it was a port to PHP of the Markdown tool written by John Gruber.

“Markdown” is two things: a plain text markup syntax, and a software tool that converts the plain text markup to HTML for publishing on the web.

The Markdown syntax allows you to write text naturally and format it without using HTML tags. More importantly: in Markdown format, your text stays enjoyable to read for a human being, and this is true enough that it makes a Markdown document publishable as-is, as plain text. If you are using text-formatted email, you already know some part of the syntax.

Library package for developers. Requires PHP 5.3. Also available on Packagist et and Github. May 4, 2014.