Chapter 6. Using the PHP scripting language

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Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is a general-purpose scripting language mainly used for server-side scripting. You can use PHP to run the PHP code by using a web server.

6.1. Installing the PHP scripting language

In RHEL 9, PHP is available in the following versions and formats:

PHP 8.0 as the php RPM package
PHP 8.1 as the php:8.1 module stream
PHP 8.2 as the php:8.2 module stream

Procedure

Depending on your scenario, complete one of the following steps:

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
```
Available profiles are as follows:
- 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 interface 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
```

Additional resources

Managing software with the DNF tool

6.2. Using the PHP scripting language with a web server

6.2.1. Using PHP with the Apache HTTP Server

In Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, the Apache HTTP Server enables you to run PHP as a FastCGI process server. FastCGI Process Manager (FPM) is an alternative PHP FastCGI daemon that allows a website to manage high loads. PHP uses FastCGI Process Manager by default in RHEL 9.

You can run the PHP code using the FastCGI process server.

Prerequisites

The PHP scripting language is installed on your system.

Procedure

Install the httpd package:
```
# dnf install httpd
```
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
```
Start the php-fpm service:
```
# systemctl start php-fpm
```
Optional: Enable both services to start at boot time:
```
# systemctl enable php-fpm httpd
```
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
```
To run the index.php file, point the browser to:
```
http://<hostname>/
```
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

Create a hello directory for your project in the /var/www/html/ directory:
```
# mkdir hello
```

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>

Start the Apache HTTP Server:
```
# systemctl start httpd
```
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.

Additional resources

Setting up the Apache HTTP web server

6.2.2. Using PHP with the nginx web server

You can run PHP code through the nginx web server.

Prerequisites

The PHP scripting language is installed on your system.

Procedure

Install the nginx package:
```
# dnf install nginx
```
Start the nginx server:
```
# systemctl start nginx
```
Or, if the nginx server is already running on your system, restart the nginx service after installing PHP:
```
# systemctl restart nginx
```
Start the php-fpm service:
```
# systemctl start php-fpm
```
Optional: Enable both services to start at boot time:
```
# systemctl enable php-fpm nginx
```
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
```
To run the index.php file, point the browser to:
```
http://<hostname>/
```
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

Example 6.2. Running a "Hello, World!" PHP script using the nginx server

Create a hello directory for your project in the /usr/share/nginx/html/ directory:
```
# mkdir hello
```

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>

Start the nginx server:
```
# systemctl start nginx
```
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.

Additional resources

Setting up and configuring NGINX

6.3. Running a PHP script using the command-line interface

A PHP script is usually run using a web server, but also can be run using the command-line interface.

Prerequisites

The PHP scripting language is installed on your system.

Procedure

In a text editor, create a filename.php file
Replace filename with the name of your file.
Execute the created filename.php file from the command line:
```
# php filename.php
```

Example 6.3. Running a "Hello, World!" PHP script using the command-line interface

Create a hello.php file with the following content using a text editor:
```
<?php
    echo 'Hello, World!';
?>
```
Execute the hello.php file from the command line:
```
# php hello.php
```
As a result, “Hello, World!” is printed.

6.4. Additional resources

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.

Chapter 6. Using the PHP scripting language

6.1. Installing the PHP scripting language

6.2. Using the PHP scripting language with a web server

6.2.1. Using PHP with the Apache HTTP Server

6.2.2. Using PHP with the nginx web server

6.3. Running a PHP script using the command-line interface

6.4. Additional resources

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