UBB.Developers Forums UBB.threads 7 Development How Do I? What is PHP?

Why would I need PHP?

CF. http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/programming/php/tutorials/tutorial4.html

I really wasnt to the point of learning it. I was hoping someone may know the differenct ot advantages.

Bob
[email protected]
www.home2000.com

It's designed for the web and it's easily intergratable into web sites. It supports a full feature load. From customizing images on the fly when a page is loaded to creating a Shockwave or Flash movie on the fly to loading data out of a database and manipulating it. And on top of all this, it's much quicker then Perl for the web.

Doug
http://www.netherworldrpg.net

You PHP gurus are too quiet on the General PHP questions board.

I need to know which type of PHP install I should do. I was planning on doing a dynamic module install as an Apcahe module but after my host solved the problem of no apxs script I got word back saying "I don't recommend loading PHP dynamically as it is slower to run/startup and could cause problems."

This is at odds with what Webmonkey says "The dynamic module (DSO, for "dynamic shared object") version of PHP saves you gobs of time in the long run. If, at some point, you decide recompile a PHP DSO to add or delete functionality, you don't have to recompile Apache when you recreate the DSO. All you need to do is stop and then restart Apache, which is why this combination of Apache and PHP as a DSO has been gaining in popularity since the PHP development team made it a possibility."

If the tech support at the host is right then I assume that leaves installing as a cgi binary. But I was under the impression a module for Apache was better.
What is the general consensus?

Darren.
http://www.bullpen.com.au

I thought I replied to that post... I guess not.

PHP is much, much better as a DSO. As a binary CGI, it must be called and build it's overhead for each page request. As a DSO, it's loaded into Apache's code space when Apache starts and it's there and all the overhead is already created and running.

The apxs problem is easily fixed. Just do a "make apxs" in the Apache source folder. And just install the apxs binary in the Apache bin folder. But I my own feeling you should download the latest Apache (1.3.14) and make sure you compile it with "--enable-shared=max".

Make install it and restart your Apache. Now get the PHP4 source and compile it with "--with-apxs=/usr/local/apache/bin/apxs" or whatever your path to apxs is. Even though the following settings are generally automatically assumed by PHP4, I recommend you apply them anyway because I had a copy of PHP that didn't do it correctly once. "--enable-track-vars" and "--disable-debug". Another helpful one is "--with-config-file-path=/etc" so you can put your php.ini file in /etc. At this point you can add whatever you want, like "--with-mysql" and "--with-xml" or whatever.

PHP4 will automatically adjust your httpd.conf file to enable it, all you have to do is restart Apache.

Another recommendation, go to www.Zend.com and get their Zend Optimizer. (They make PHP). Download it and follow the instructions and install. But I don't recommend optimization level 15. I recommend 7. 15 was kinda buggy for me still and when it was working fine it didn't do too much better then 7 did.

Doug
http://www.netherworldrpg.net

Hi Cardoe

Thanks for all the information.
Everywhere I read about installing PHP4 their main instructions is for the DSO install as an Apache module. Obviously there is a reason for this as you've just explained.
The install file that comes with PHP is also very helpful with a step by step guide.
I appreciate the assistance because it's something I can come back and refer to as well, as I go along.

Darren.
http://www.bullpen.com.au

YO!!!