June 12, 2002, 10:01:53 pm
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What is it?
PHP - Server side scripting language. Very similar to 'C' in syntax but can be OO and doesn't require the user to worry about memory management, also no pointers!
How Do I Install It?
Two ways to use it, within apache (mod_php) or at the comment line (php file.php)

Under RPM based systems (RedHat, SuSE etc...) install the mod_php and/or php RPMs. For Debian apt-get install mod_php php.

OR...get the source: http://www.php.net/downloads.php
Checking It's Running
Several Ways:
  • Apache's server-status:
    http://localhost/server-status

  • Simple info.php file that calls phpinfo():
    http://localhost/monadlug/info.php

  • From the command line:
    [rdp@yeoman monadlug]$ php -h
    Usage: php [-q] [-h] [-s [-v] [-i] [-f ] | { [args...]}
    -q Quiet-mode. Suppress HTTP Header output.
    -s Display colour syntax highlighted source.
    -f Parse . Implies `-q'
    -v Version number
    -C Do not chdir to the script's directory
    -c Look for php.ini file in this directory
    -a Run interactively
    -d foo[=bar] Define INI entry foo with value 'bar'
    -e Generate extended information for debugger/profiler
    -z Load Zend extension .
    -l Syntax check only (lint)
    -m Show compiled in modules
    -i PHP information
    -h This help