c++ program to be made a php extension

Hello, I am quite new to php, but I know fairly well c and c++. I have a (4000 lines) c++ program that does cut and merge of mpeg videos. I want to make it a php extension, so it runs faster than calling it as an external program. My question is which of the following strategies I should follow a) re-program all the c++ code as c, so it is easier to make it a php extension b) make a c-wrapper extension and call the c++ program through it c) ? I am currently reading about php extension writing (books and tutorials) but I have no glue what to do with the c++ program, since all php extension writting I've seen is in c. Please help by direvting me the right way, and even suggesting some books or other resources. Thanks in advance.