Module Introduction

Purpose:

PHP 5.3.4 [Release Date: 15-Dec-2010]
-> (Official Release Notes here) <-
-> (Get PHP5 certification here) <-

This Archived Training Module has the purpose to instruct the Website Administrator on how to successfully install, test and maintain the older PHP 5.3.4 on Apache 2.2 using the freely available .msi Windows installer for Windows Operating System computers. It is recommended you install version 5.3.5. The updated install guide for this version is now available from the WAS install Guides menu located at the top of the right hand column. Select PHP 5.3 from that list.

Version 5.3.4 offered notable improvements over the previous 5.3 series releases. The installation process is also notably more effective. This guide reflects those changes.

Php Hypertext Preprocessor is a popular open-source server-side scripting language which the Website Administrator can utilize to create and return a more personalized HTML experience for his website visitors. Popular uses can include website registration (password entry), tracking cookies and gzip compression for faster web browser file transfer.

Server-side is defined here as meaning the Central Processing Unit (cpu) on the Web Site Server will need be utilized to perform a processing function which has been initiated by the PHP portion of any script embedded (coded) in our HTML (.php) file prior to completing the webpage transfer to the end user.

Outcomes:

On completion of this module, the Website Administrator will have demonstrated that he is able to install, configure and understand how to add further packages to PHP5.3.4 on a Microsoft Windows computer running Apache HTTP server.

Moreover, the Website Administrator will gain an understanding on the basic differences that exist between PHP installation packages. By exploring the data contained in this guide and through various linked resources, he will be positioned to make a more informed decision on how and why to configure PHP to better suit his own or his clients needs.

He will gain insight into what features to look for when selecting packages from third party vendors to add extra capabilities to any PHP installation.

The more the Website Administrator understands, can and does use the basic tools of his trade, the better his service will be to his client base.

How to use this Guide:

The Left Side Install Guide Index lists the various wizard windows you will encounter as well as other timely selections that can offer insight to questions which may arise in, around and about the installation process to give you the best set of options for your installation. Below this main PHP 5.3.4 index are adverts to either other sections of this site, or perhaps to third party Google placed advertisements inviting you to explore services which may be of interest to those in our field.

The Center (colored) column contains the PHP 5.3.4 installation data and includes highlighted [red] links which give further relevant or source information regarding the subject at hand.

The top Right Side Index contains the most current of WAS installation guides which are publicly available at this time. This column may also display direct links to any archived WAS guides for specific earlier versions. (eg. Php 5.3.3)

If you are seeking the fastest no questions asked PHP 5.3.4 install, then this Six Step Method would be the method to use:

1. Guide Index: Download the Software. Go to the red download link php-5.3.4-Win32-VC6-x86.msi Thread Safe [24Mb] link. Save then Start that download.
2. Guide Index: PHP Destination Folder. Change the destination to c:\PHP\
3. Guide Index: PHP Website Server. Select Apache 2.2.x Module
4. Guide Index: Apache Config Directory. Browse to, select and confirm the location of Apache Conf folder
5. Guide Index: Choosing PHP 5.3.4 Items. Go to Fig. 10 and note if any specific software is missing from your needed list. (Default list is fine for most uses)
6. Left Menu: Ready to Install. Select install. You should be done. Go to test section if desired.

The above method assumes your user account privileges are that of a Computer Administrator (See User Accounts in help [press F1 key when at the DeskTop with all applications minimized]) which extends to your right to update the Apache HTTP Server configuration file (httpd.conf).

Preliminary PHP 5.3.4 Installation Steps:

Though PHP5.3.4 can be installed as stand-alone software, most use the software in conjunction with HTTP Server Software like Apache or IIS. If you have not done so, and plan to write PHP code for use on a Website Server, you should install that server software now. Those who plan to use Apache can use our Website Administration Services Installation Guide for "apache server 2.2".

The installation of PHP 5.3.4 software is the same for Ms:

• Windows XP SP3 (not SP1 or SP2) ,
• Server 2003,
• Vista,
• Server 2008 (incl. R2) or
• Windows7 operating systems.

Windows XP with Service Pack 3 installed is now the minimum operating system requirement (by production date) to install PHP5.3.x

If planning to install this software on an older operating system such as Windows 95/98/Me, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 or other older Windows 32bit versions than those listed above, you may require an update of support files for the Microsoft Installer or other Service Pack Updates. You will also need to obtain and use PHP5.2 or earlier (PHP4.2 for Win95). These operating systems are no longer officially supported in PHP5.3.x releases. If you are unwilling or unable to update your XP from SP1 or SP2, you will also need to use PHP5.2.

Installing and using PHP and other associated programs as Administrator or with the highest Administrator privileges is recommended in most situations.

If using Windows Vista, 2008 or 7, User Account Control [UAC] need either be Disabled or have the UAC Privilege Levels set correctly for PHP 5.3.4 and associated programs to integrate correctly. Other common issues which may be encountered during install can be due to virus or system monitoring programs or other running programs which may inhibit updating system files or even prevent Apache to start thus giving the apparency that PHP has not been correctly installed.

If you are unsure how to test your Apache HTTP server installation, or how to locate your home directory (the document root) for your server, then please first review the appropriate section(s) in the above linked "apache server 2.2" WAS Installation Guide.

It is highly recommended you carry out a preliminary check to ensure your Apache Server is working correctly before you action this tutorial.

The reason being that our first step after installing PHP 5.3.4 is to re-start our Apache HTTP server which re-loads Apache's httpd.conf to include our Php configuration. This immediately tests if our modifications are working without error. Apache can fail to start or crash if PHP has not been configured correctly. By first testing Apache, we pre-empt any situation where we are attempting to troubleshoot a PHP configuration error when the cause actually lays elsewhere.

Secondly, to conclude this tutorial, we load a test PHP script through our HTTP server to demonstrate our PHP 5.3.4 installation has been successful.