PHP Installation

Welcome to The Coding College! In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through installing PHP on your computer so you can start building dynamic websites and web applications. PHP installation is straightforward, and by the end of this guide, you’ll have your development environment ready to go.

Prerequisites for Installing PHP

Before installing PHP, ensure you have the following:

  1. Basic Knowledge: Familiarity with operating systems (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  2. Text Editor: Tools like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Notepad++.
  3. Web Server: A server like Apache or Nginx is needed to run PHP scripts.

For beginners, using bundled solutions like XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP is highly recommended. These include PHP, a web server, and MySQL, simplifying the setup process.

PHP Installation on Windows

1. Download PHP

  • Visit the official PHP website at php.net.
  • Download the latest thread-safe version of PHP for Windows.

2. Extract PHP Files

  • Extract the downloaded ZIP file into a directory (e.g., C:\php).

3. Configure PHP

  • Open the php.ini-development file from the PHP folder and rename it to php.ini.
  • Edit the php.ini file in a text editor and enable necessary extensions (e.g., extension=mysqli for database support).

4. Set Environment Variables

  • Add the PHP directory (C:\php) to your system’s PATH variable:
    • Search for “Environment Variables” in the Windows search bar.
    • Edit the PATH variable and add the PHP directory.

5. Test PHP Installation

  • Open the Command Prompt and type:
php -v
  • If installed correctly, you’ll see the PHP version displayed.

PHP Installation on macOS

1. Check Pre-installed PHP

macOS often comes with PHP pre-installed. Open the Terminal and type:

php -v

If an older version of PHP is installed, you can update it using Homebrew.

2. Install Homebrew

If you don’t have Homebrew installed, run:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

3. Install PHP Using Homebrew

To install PHP, use:

brew install php

4. Verify Installation

After installation, verify the PHP version:

php -v

5. Start Built-in Web Server

macOS includes a built-in web server. You can start it using:

php -S localhost:8000

This command serves your PHP files on http://localhost:8000.

PHP Installation on Linux

1. Update System Packages

Run the following command to ensure your system packages are up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

2. Install PHP

Use the following command to install PHP and required extensions:

sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-mysql

3. Verify Installation

After installation, check the PHP version:

php -v

4. Test PHP with Apache

  • Place a PHP file (e.g., info.php) in the /var/www/html/ directory:
<?php
phpinfo();
?>
  • Restart the Apache server: 
sudo systemctl restart apache2
  • Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost/info.php to see the PHP information page.

Using All-in-One Bundles (XAMPP, WAMP, MAMP)

For beginners, all-in-one solutions like XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP are the easiest way to get started with PHP.

1. Download and Install XAMPP

  • Visit XAMPP.
  • Download and install the appropriate version for your operating system.

2. Start XAMPP

  • Launch the XAMPP Control Panel and start the Apache and MySQL services.

3. Test PHP

  • Create a PHP file (e.g., test.php) in the htdocs folder:
<?php
echo "Welcome to The Coding College!";
?>
  • Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost/test.php.

Troubleshooting Common PHP Installation Issues

  1. PHP Command Not Recognized: Ensure the PHP directory is added to your PATH variable.
  2. Missing Extensions: Edit your php.ini file to enable required extensions.
  3. Web Server Errors: Check if Apache or Nginx is properly configured to serve PHP files.

Final Thoughts

Installing PHP is your first step toward creating dynamic web applications. Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux, the process is straightforward and beginner-friendly.

At The Coding College, we’re committed to providing you with hands-on tutorials and practical knowledge to succeed in programming. Check out more PHP guides and tutorials at The Coding College.

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