Prerequisites
This guide covers installation for Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, etc.)
A Basic Understanding of the Command Line (Terminal or Command Prompt)
Administrator Access (Root/Sudo Permissions)
A Web Server (Optional for Development)
Introduction
If you're ready to start working with PHP, whether for web development or server-side scripting, the first step is getting PHP installed on your system. This process might seem a bit overwhelming, but don’t worry—we've got you covered.
In this ultimate guide, we'll take you through each step of installing PHP, from downloading the necessary files to ensuring that your PHP setup is working perfectly. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this guide will give you all the information you need to set up PHP smoothly and efficiently.
By the end of this guide, you'll be fully prepared to use PHP for your projects and begin building dynamic websites or applications.
General Installation Considerations
If you're planning to install PHP, it's important to understand the general installation considerations to ensure a smooth setup. The official PHP manual offers valuable insights into the necessary prerequisites, common installation methods for various operating systems, and configuration tips. For detailed guidance, visit the PHP Installation Guide.
Choose the Right PHP Version
It’s always recommended to install the latest stable version of PHP for security and performance. Ensure the version of PHP you plan to install is compatible with the other software you’re using (e.g., web servers, CMSs, etc.)
Check the Downloads Page: On the homepage, you can find a direct link to the latest stable PHP release in the "Downloads" section. You can also visit this specific page for detailed download options: PHP Downloads Page.
Update Your System (Linux Users)
For Linux users (Ubuntu, CentOS, etc.), update your system packages to ensure everything is up-to-date
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y # For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems
sudo yum update -y # For CentOS/RHEL-based systems
sudo dnf check-update # Fedora, CentOS 8+, or RHEL 8+
sudo dnf upgrade -y # Fedora, CentOS 8+, or RHEL 8+
What is PHP-FPM?
FPM stands for FastCGI Process Manager, and it is designed to work in conjunction with web servers like Nginx or Apache. It provides better performance and scalability, especially when managing many simultaneous requests.
Before starting and enabling PHP-FPM, you need to install PHP-FPM as part of the PHP package.
To Start PHP-FPM
sudo systemctl start php-fpm
To Enable PHP-FPM to Start on Boot
sudo systemctl enable php-fpm
Check the Status
sudo systemctl status php-fpm
Installing PHP on Linux
Ubuntu/Debian
Add the repository for PHP
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php
sudo apt update
Install PHP
sudo apt install php php-fpm php-cli php-mbstring php-xml php-curl
CentOS/RHEL
You can list the available PHP streams (versions of PHP) that can be installed via modules by running the following command:
dnf module list php # List available PHP streams in CentOS 8 or newer
If you've previously enabled a specific version of PHP (e.g., PHP 7.x or PHP 8.0) via the module system, and now you want to switch to a new version (e.g., upgrading from PHP 7.4 to PHP 8.0), you need to reset the module to avoid conflicts by running the following command:
dnf module reset php # CentOS 8 or newer
The remi-release-7.rpm refers to Remi's repository for CentOS/RHEL 7, not directly to a specific version of PHP. The 7 in remi-release-7.rpm refers to the version of the operating system (CentOS/RHEL 7) for which the repository is intended.
Enable the Remi repository
sudo yum install -y epel-release
sudo yum install -y yum-utils
sudo yum install -y http://rpms.remirepo.net/enterprise/remi-release-7.rpm
sudo yum install -y php php-fpm php-cli php-mbstring php-xml php-curl
For CentOS 8 or newer (including CentOS Stream), the commands to enable the Remi repository and install PHP would differ slightly, as CentOS 8 and newer versions use DNF instead of YUM.
sudo dnf install -y epel-release
sudo dnf install -y https://rpms.remirepo.net/enterprise/remi-release-8.rpm
sudo dnf module enable php:remi-8.0 -y # Adjust PHP version if needed
sudo dnf install -y php php-fpm php-cli php-mbstring php-xml php-curl
Verify PHP Installation
After installation, verify that PHP is working correctly by running:
php -v
The php.ini file
When PHP is first installed on your system, the installer typically provides a default php.ini file. This file is located in the PHP installation directory and contains the default settings for PHP. The php.ini file is a key configuration that allows you to adjust various settings and optimize the behavior of PHP on your server. It controls important aspects like memory limits, error handling, and extensions. To locate or modify php.ini, you can easily find its location using the php --ini command or check common directories like /etc/php.ini depending on your PHP version and system configuration.
Test PHP with a Simple Script
Create a simple PHP script to ensure PHP is working properly:
Create a file called info.php in your web server's document root (e.g., /var/www/html or C:\xampp\htdocs)
<?php phpinfo(); ?>
Access http://<server_ip>/info.php or http://localhost/info.php in your browser. Replace <server_ip> with the actual IP address or domain name of your server. You should see the PHP configuration page with details about your installation.
Install PHP Extensions
Depending on your project needs, you might need to install additional PHP extensions (like pdo, gd, mbstring, etc.). Here's how to install them:
On Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt install php-<extension-name>
On CentOS/RHEL:
sudo yum install php-<extension-name>
sudo dnf install php-<extension-name> # Fedora, CentOS 8+, or RHEL 8+
Secure Your PHP Installation (Optional)
To enhance security, especially in a production environment, you should:
- Disable unnecessary PHP modules
- Configure the php.ini to improve security
- Keep PHP and related software up-to-date
Exploring PHP from the Command Line
Did you know you can run PHP scripts directly from your terminal? The official PHP Command Line Options guide walks you through all the powerful options available when using PHP in the command line. Whether you want to run a quick test, configure settings, or manage script execution more efficiently, this resource is a must-have for anyone working with PHP CLI.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, installing PHP is a crucial step for web development, whether you're working with a local server or deploying on a production server. By following this guide, you should have a solid understanding of how to get PHP up and running on various platforms, configure it properly, and ensure it works seamlessly with your web server.
Remember that PHP is a powerful and versatile language, and the official PHP website is an excellent resource for documentation, updates, and community support. Whether you're new to PHP or an experienced developer, the official website is a go-to destination for learning and staying up-to-date with the latest PHP versions and best practices.
For more information, the official PHP website is:
Good luck with your PHP installation, and happy coding!