How to Install PHP on Windows macOS and Linux

Installing PHP on Windows, macOS, or Linux is a crucial first step in setting up a web development environment. This powerful scripting language is used to create dynamic web pages and applications. In this guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to install PHP on these popular operating systems, ensuring you have everything you need to start coding and building your own websites.

Introduction

Why PHP?

PHP is a popular server-side scripting language that is widely used for web development. It is known for its simplicity, flexibility, and compatibility with various operating systems. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the installation process of PHP on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

Installing PHP on Windows

Step 1: Download PHP

The first step is to download the PHP package for Windows from the official website. Go to php.net and navigate to the Downloads section. Choose the Windows version that matches your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).

Make sure to download the Thread Safe (TS) version if you are planning to use PHP with Apache or another web server application that supports thread safety.

Once the download is complete, extract the package to a directory of your choice, e.g., C:php.

Step 2: Configure PHP

Now, you need to configure PHP by making some changes to the php.ini file. Go to the PHP installation directory and locate the php.ini-development file. Rename it to php.ini.

Open the php.ini file in a text editor and make the following changes:

• Uncomment the line: extension_dir = "ext"
• Uncomment the line: extension=mysqli (remove the semicolon at the beginning)

Save the changes and close the file.

Step 3: Add PHP to the System Path

In order to run PHP from the command line, you need to add its directory to the system’s PATH environment variable. Here’s how:

1. Right-click on the This PC or My Computer icon and select Properties.
2. Click on the Advanced system settings link.
3. In the System Properties window, click on the Environment Variables button.
4. In the User variables section, select the Path variable and click on the Edit button.
5. Add the PHP directory (e.g., C:php) to the list of paths and click OK.
6. Click OK again to close the Environment Variables and System Properties windows.

Step 4: Test PHP Installation

To test if PHP is installed correctly on Windows, open the Command Prompt and type:

php -v

If everything is set up correctly, you should see the PHP version and configuration details.

Installing PHP on macOS

Step 1: Install Homebrew

Homebrew is a popular package manager for macOS that makes it easy to install various software packages, including PHP.

If you don’t have Homebrew installed, open Terminal and run the following command to install it:

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

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 2: Install PHP

Once Homebrew is installed, you can use it to install PHP. Run the following command in Terminal:

brew install php

This will install the latest version of PHP and its dependencies.

Step 3: Test PHP Installation

To test if PHP is installed correctly on macOS, open Terminal and run the following command:

php -v

If PHP is installed properly, you should see the PHP version and other details.

Installing PHP on Linux

Step 1: Update Package Manager

Before installing PHP, it is recommended to update the package manager on your Linux distribution. The steps may vary depending on the distribution you are using. Here are a few common commands:

• Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get update
• Fedora/RHEL/CentOS: sudo dnf update or sudo yum update

Step 2: Install PHP

Once the package manager is updated, you can install PHP using the appropriate command for your distribution:

• Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt-get install php
• Fedora/RHEL/CentOS: sudo dnf install php or sudo yum install php

During the installation, the required dependencies will be installed as well.

Step 3: Test PHP Installation

To verify the installation, open the terminal and type:

php -v

If PHP is installed correctly on your Linux system, you should see the PHP version and additional details.

In this tutorial, we have walked you through the step-by-step process of installing PHP on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. By following these instructions, you should now have PHP up and running on your preferred operating system.

Remember to choose the appropriate installation method for your system and make any necessary configuration changes. Now you are ready to start developing web applications with PHP!

Installing PHP on Windows, macOS, and Linux is a straightforward process that can be accomplished by following the specific steps outlined for each operating system. By setting up PHP successfully, users can harness the power of this versatile programming language to create dynamic web applications and websites. Whether you are a beginner or experienced developer, knowing how to install PHP on your preferred system is essential for seamless development and deployment of PHP projects.