PHP4 Installation on your Virtual Server

Installing PHP4

There are two different ways to install PHP4 on a Virtual Server. The best way is to install it as a Dynamic Module.

Which version of PHP4 should I install?
Within each version of PHP, there are several "builds" to choose from. A build consists of PHP's core features--which are found in every build--and some optional additional features, such as database support, on-the-fly image creation, and encryption.

Bottom Line: You should choose the build that best suits your needs but at the same time does not add unnecessary overhead to your web server.

Example 1: If you plan on making use of PHP to transfer files between computers, or to use TWIG to access your email, you'll want to choose a PHP build that includes ftp, imap, and the database backend you're using for TWIG in the build name.

mod_php3-3.0.16-module-msql-mcrypt-ftp-imap.so

Example 2: If you want to use PHP chiefly to access a PostgreSQL database, but not build images on the fly, choose a PHP build with pgsql but without freetype and gd in the build name.

mod_php3-3.0.16-module-pgsql.so

By selecting the PHP build carefully, you will maximize your virtual server's memory use as well as improve the performance of your Apache Web Server.

NOTE: PHP4 no longer creates GIF images via lib-gd. Due to patent restrictions on the GIF compression algorithm we can no longer support it. The PNG Image Format has support for alpha channels, gamma correction, has better compression than GIF compression and supports 48-bit color depth (versus 8-bit color GIF images), and is now widely supported by nearly all modern web browsers.

Dynamic Module Installation
We've provided more information here.

Installing PHP 4 as a CGI Redirect
The other way to install PHP4, as a CGI to which PHP files are redirected by the web server, is shown below. Connect to your Virtual Server via Telnet or SSH and do the following:

Change to your home directory:

Install the PHP4 software using the command below:

% vinstall php4

NOTE: We have made a number of PHP4 CGI builds available. To install a build with features that you want, use one of the following commands, instead of those above.

% vinstall php4-msql
% vinstall php4-mysql
% vinstall php4-pgsql

(The PHP4 configuration file will be created at ~/usr/local/lib/php.ini instead of ~/usr/local/lib/php3.ini as it was with previous versions of PHP3. )

Due to Security Issues the PHP4 CGI is installed at ~/usr/local/bin/php. Do the following to link the PHP4 CGI into your ~/www/cgi-bin directory.
Make the following additions and modifications to your Virtual Server web server configuration file (~/www/conf/httpd.conf).
1. Modify the DirectoryIndex line so that PHP 4 files will be included as directory indices.
```
DirectoryIndex index.php index.php4 index.php3 index.cgi index.html index.htm
```
2. Add the following lines so that all files with .php, .php3, .php4, and .phtml extensions will be redirected to the PHP4 CGI executable.

SEE ALSO:

Installing PHP 4 as a Dynamic Module

PHP 3

About mSQL

About mySQL

About PostgreSQL

About Miva

Configuring Miva for Subhosts

Database Solutions

CGI Scriptorium

Server Add-ons

BOOKS TO HELP YOU:

Building Database Applications on the Web Using PHP3

PHP Pocket Reference

Php3: Programming Browser-Based Applications

Professional Php Programming

PHP3 and MySQL Web Development