How to Install PHP

PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) is a server-side scripting language widely used for developing dynamic web applications. In this guide, we will provide you with a step-by-step instruction on how to install PHP on your computer and start coding PHP applications.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you need to make sure you have the following prerequisites:

• A computer with Windows, Mac, or Linux operating system.
• A web server such as Apache or Nginx installed on your computer.
• A text editor such as Notepad++, Sublime Text, or Visual Studio Code.

Downloading and Installing PHP

1. Visit the official PHP website https://windows.php.net/download/ and download the latest version of PHP for your operating system.
2. Once the download is complete, double-click the setup file to start the installation process.
3. Follow the instructions provided by the setup wizard to install PHP on your computer.
4. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Configuring PHP with Apache

1. Open the Apache configuration file located in the Apache installation folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Apache Group\Apache2\conf\httpd.conf).
2. Find the following line in the file:

#LoadModule php7_module modules/libphp7.so

3. Remove the # symbol to uncomment the line, then save and close the file.
4. Restart Apache to apply the changes.

Testing the PHP Installation

1. Create a new file with a .php extension (e.g. index.php) in your web root folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Apache Group\Apache2\htdocs).
2. Enter the following code into the file:

<?php
   phpinfo();
?>

3. Save and close the file.
4. Open a web browser and navigate to http://localhost/index.php.
5. If everything is set up correctly, you will see a page displaying information about your PHP installation.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have provided you with a step-by-step instruction on how to install PHP on your computer and start coding PHP applications. By following these instructions, you will be able to set up a development environment and start learning PHP in no time.