Installing and Managing PHP on Ubuntu: Step-by-Step Tutorial for 2024

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Web server and PHP combinations are popular on Ubuntu. Here’s a breakdown of estimated usage based on current trends:

PHP’s continued relevance in 2024 stems from:

• Web Development Focus: Purpose-built for creating dynamic web experiences.
• Widespread Adoption: Integral to leading CMS platforms.
• Strong Community: Supported by a vibrant ecosystem of tools and resources.
• Easy to Learn: Accessible syntax simplifies entry for novice developers.
• Performance Improvements: Optimized for enhanced speed and efficiency.
• Legacy Systems: Many existing applications continue to rely on PHP functionality.

Stable PHP Versions in Ubuntu LTS Releases

Contents

1. PHP Versions Available on Ubuntu
2. Installing PHP on Ubuntu: A How-To Guide
3. Installing PHP Modules
4. Reasons to Uninstall PHP
5. Uninstalling PHP: Step-by-Step
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ

PHP Versions Available on Ubuntu

The PHP versions available by default depend on your Ubuntu version and enabled repositories. Here’s a quick reference:

• Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa): Defaults to PHP 7.4.
• Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy Jellyfish): Defaults to PHP 8.1.
• Ubuntu 23.10 (Kinetic Kudu): Defaults to PHP 8.2.
• Ubuntu 24.04 (LTS): Defaults to PHP 8.3.

These are the default versions from official Ubuntu repositories. You can add Personal Package Archives (PPAs) to install other versions, such as PHP 5.6, for compatibility purposes.

Important Considerations

• Security: Newer PHP versions include the latest security patches. Prioritize the newest stable version for optimal security.
• Compatibility: Check your application’s documentation to ensure compatibility with your chosen PHP version.
• Multiple Versions: Ubuntu supports multiple PHP versions simultaneously, which is useful for development. Configure your web server to use the correct version for each application.

Installing PHP on Ubuntu: A How-To Guide

Installing PHP on Ubuntu lets you create a local web development environment for testing and building dynamic web applications. This guide will walk you through the installation process using different methods.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have:

• An Ubuntu system
• Sudo user privileges
• Terminal access

Method 1: Installing PHP with Apache

This is a common way to set up a development environment. Here’s how to install PHP alongside Apache:

1. Update and upgrade your system:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

   This refreshes package lists and applies upgrades.

2. Install PPA prerequisites:

   sudo apt install software-properties-common

   This provides the utilities necessary to work with PPAs.

3. Add PHP PPA:

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php

   Adds a PPA containing various PHP versions.

4. Update package lists again:

   sudo apt update

   Make sure the new PPA is included.

5. Install Apache and PHP:

   sudo apt install apache2 php libapache2-mod-php

   Replace <version> with your desired PHP version (e.g., 7.4, 8.1).

6. Restart Apache:

   sudo systemctl restart apache2

   Apply changes by restarting the Apache service.

7. Verify PHP Installation: There are two methods:
   • Check the version:

     php -v

     This displays the installed version.

   • Create a test page: Create a file named info.php in your web server’s document root (typically /var/www/html):

     sudo nano /var/www/html/info.php

     Paste the following:

     <?php
     phpinfo();
     ?>

     Save and access it in your browser at http://<your_server_ip>/info.php.

Method 2: Installing PHP with NGINX

NGINX needs extra config to work with PHP. Follow these steps:

1. Update and upgrade your system:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

2. Install PPA prerequisites:

   sudo apt install software-properties-common

3. Add PHP PPA:

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php

4. Update package lists:

   sudo apt update

5. Install NGINX and PHP:

   sudo apt install nginx php-fpm

   Replace <version> with the desired PHP version (e.g., 7.4, 8.1).

6. Configure NGINX to use PHP-FPM: Edit the default NGINX configuration file:

   sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

   Uncomment the lines in the location ~ \.php$ block to enable PHP processing. Save and restart NGINX and PHP-FPM:

   sudo systemctl restart nginx

   sudo systemctl restart php-fpm

7. Verify PHP Installation:

   echo "<?php phpinfo(); ?>" | sudo tee /var/www/html/phpinfo.php

   Access the test script at http://<your_server_ip>/phpinfo.php.

Installing PHP Modules

PHP modules (extensions) add features to PHP. To install a module, use this command:

sudo apt install php-

Replace <version> with the PHP version (e.g., 7.4, 8.1) and <module_name> with the module (e.g., mysql, gd, curl).

Example: Install the MySQL module for PHP 7.4:

sudo apt install php7.4-mysql

To view installed PHP modules:

php -m

This lists all enabled modules, helping you verify installations.

Reasons to Uninstall PHP

You might want to uninstall PHP for these reasons:

• No Longer Needed: To free up resources if PHP is unused.
• Switching Web Frameworks: If migrating to a framework that doesn’t rely on PHP.
• Troubleshooting: To resolve conflicts by reinstalling PHP.
• Security: As a temporary measure if a PHP version is vulnerable and updates aren’t possible.

Before Uninstalling

Ensure that removing PHP won’t break critical web applications. Always back up your data and configurations first.

Uninstalling PHP: Step-by-Step

Uninstalling PHP frees space, improves security, and can resolve conflicts. Here’s how to uninstall different PHP versions.

1. Remove the core PHP package:

   sudo apt remove --purge php7.4

   Removes PHP 7.4 and related configurations.

2. Remove PHP-FPM:

   sudo apt remove --purge php7.4-fpm

   Removes the PHP FastCGI Process Manager (FPM) for PHP 7.4.

3. Remove configuration files:

   sudo rm -rf /etc/php/7.4

   Deletes any remaining PHP 7.4 configuration files.

Uninstall PHP 8.1

1. Remove the core PHP package:

   sudo apt remove --purge php8.1

   Removes PHP 8.1 and related configurations.

2. Remove PHP-FPM:

   sudo apt remove --purge php8.1-fpm

   Removes the PHP FastCGI Process Manager (FPM) for PHP 8.1.

3. Remove configuration files:

   sudo rm -rf /etc/php/8.1

   Deletes remaining PHP 8.1 configuration files.

4. Restart your web server:

   sudo systemctl restart apache2

   sudo systemctl restart nginx

   Ensures the web server works correctly without PHP.

5. Verify the uninstallation:

   php -v

   Checks if PHP is still installed. Should return an error if uninstalled.

Conclusion

This guide covered installing and uninstalling PHP on Ubuntu. Whether setting up a development environment or resolving issues, these instructions provide a comprehensive foundation. Remember to back up data before making system changes. With this information, you can confidently manage PHP installations on Ubuntu.

FAQ

Q1: Can I install multiple PHP versions on Ubuntu?
A: Yes. Configure your web server (using PHP-FPM pools and directives) to use the correct version for each app.

Q2: How do I switch between PHP versions?
A: Use `update-alternatives` to configure the default PHP version. Adjust your web server configuration to use the desired PHP-FPM version.

Q3: Is a PPA necessary for PHP on Ubuntu?
A: Not required, but PPAs let you install PHP versions not in the default Ubuntu repositories (useful for newer or older versions).

Q4: How do I secure my PHP on Ubuntu?
A: Follow these best practices:

• Keep PHP updated.
• Disable unnecessary PHP functions in `php.ini`.
• Use proper file permissions.
• Regularly audit your code for vulnerabilities.

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