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Chapter 6. Using the PHP scripting language

Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is a general-purpose scripting language mainly used for server-side scripting. Install PHP and run PHP code using a web server or the command-line interface.

6.1. Installing the PHP scripting language
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In RHEL 9, PHP is available as the php RPM package (PHP 8.0), the php:8.1 module stream (PHP 8.1), or the php:8.2 module stream (PHP 8.2).

Procedure

  • To install PHP 8.0, enter: 

    # dnf install php

  • To install the php:8.1 or php:8.2 module stream with the default profile, enter for example: 

    # dnf module install php:8.1

The default common profile installs also the php-fpm package, and preconfigures PHP for use with the Apache HTTP Server or nginx.

  • To install a specific profile of the php:8.1 or php:8.2 module stream, use for example: 

    # dnf module install php:8.1/profile

  • The available profiles for the php:8.1 and php:8.2 module streams are:

    • common - The default profile for server-side scripting using a web server. It includes the most widely used extensions.
    • minimal - This profile installs only the command line for scripting with PHP without using a web server.
    • devel - This profile includes packages from the common profile and additional packages for development purposes.

  • For example, to install PHP 8.1 for use without a web server, use: 

    # dnf module install php:8.1/minimal

6.2.1. Using PHP with the Apache HTTP Server
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In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, the Apache HTTP Server runs PHP by using FastCGI Process Manager (FPM) by default. Install and configure Apache with PHP.

Prerequisites

  • The PHP scripting language is installed on your system.

Procedure

  1. Install the httpd package: 

    # dnf install httpd

  2. Start the Apache HTTP Server: 

    # systemctl start httpd
    • Or, if the Apache HTTP Server is already running on your system, restart the httpd service after installing PHP: 
# systemctl restart httpd

  1. Start the php-fpm service: 

    # systemctl start php-fpm

  2. Optional: Enable both services to start at boot time: 

    # systemctl enable php-fpm httpd

  3. To obtain information about your PHP settings, create the index.php file with the following content in the /var/www/html/ directory: 

    # echo '<?php phpinfo(); ?>' > /var/www/html/index.php

  4. To run the index.php file, point the browser to: 

    http://<hostname>/

  5. Optional: Adjust configuration if you have specific requirements:

    • /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf - generic httpd configuration
    • /etc/httpd/conf.d/php.conf - PHP-specific configuration for httpd
    • /usr/lib/systemd/system/httpd.service.d/php-fpm.conf - by default, the php-fpm service is started with httpd
    • /etc/php-fpm.conf - FPM main configuration
    • /etc/php-fpm.d/www.conf - default www pool configuration

Example 6.1. Running a "Hello, World!" PHP script using the Apache HTTP Server

  1. Create a hello directory for your project in the /var/www/html/ directory: 

    # mkdir hello

  2. Create a hello.php file in the /var/www/html/hello/ directory with the following content: 

    # <!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Hello, World! Page</title>
</head>
<body>
<?php
    echo 'Hello, World!';
?>
</body>
</html>

  3. Start the Apache HTTP Server: 

    # systemctl start httpd

  4. To run the hello.php file, point the browser to: 

    http://<hostname>/hello/hello.php

As a result, a web page with the “Hello, World!" text is displayed.

6.2.2. Using PHP with the nginx web server
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You can run PHP code through the nginx web server. The steps below show how to install and configure nginx with PHP.

Prerequisites

  • The PHP scripting language is installed on your system.

Procedure

  1. Install the nginx package: 

    # dnf install nginx

  2. Start the nginx server, or if it is already running, restart the nginx service after installing PHP: 

    # systemctl start nginx
     
    # systemctl restart nginx

  3. Start the php-fpm service: 

    # systemctl start php-fpm

  4. Optional: Enable both services to start at boot time: 

    # systemctl enable php-fpm nginx

  5. To obtain information about your PHP settings, create the index.php file with the following content in the /usr/share/nginx/html/ directory: 

    # echo '<?php phpinfo(); ?>' > /usr/share/nginx/html/index.php

  6. To run the index.php file, point the browser to: 

    http://<hostname>/

  7. Optional: Adjust configuration if you have specific requirements:

    • /etc/nginx/nginx.conf - nginx main configuration
    • /etc/nginx/conf.d/php-fpm.conf - FPM configuration for nginx
    • /etc/php-fpm.conf - FPM main configuration
    • /etc/php-fpm.d/www.conf - default www pool configuration

  8. Example — Running a "Hello, World!" PHP script: Create a hello directory for your project in the /usr/share/nginx/html/ directory: 

    # mkdir hello

  9. Create a hello.php file in the /usr/share/nginx/html/hello/ directory with the following content: 

    # <!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Hello, World! Page</title>
</head>
<body>
<?php
    echo 'Hello, World!';
?>
</body>
</html>

  10. Start the nginx server: 

    # systemctl start nginx

  11. To run the hello.php file, point the browser to: 

    http://<hostname>/hello/hello.php

    As a result, a web page with the “Hello, World!" text is displayed.

6.3. Running a PHP script using the command line
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Run a PHP script from the command line to automate tasks or test code without using a web server.

Prerequisites

  • The PHP scripting language is installed on your system.

Procedure

  1. In a text editor, create a filename.php file

    Replace filename with the name of your file.

  2. Execute the created filename.php file from the command line: 

    # php filename.php

  3. Example — Running a "Hello, World!" PHP script: Create a hello.php file with the following content using a text editor: 

    <?php
    echo 'Hello, World!';
?>

  4. Execute the hello.php file from the command line. "Hello, World!" is printed: 

    # php hello.php

6.4. Additional resources
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  • httpd(8) - The manual page for the httpd service containing the complete list of its command-line options.
  • httpd.conf(5) - The manual page for httpd configuration, describing the structure and location of the httpd configuration files.
  • nginx(8) - The manual page for the nginx web server containing the complete list of its command-line options and list of signals.
  • php-fpm(8) - The manual page for PHP FPM describing the complete list of its command-line options and configuration files.
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