If you’re a Mac user and want to start coding in PHP, you’ll need to install PHP on your machine first. In this tutorial, you will learn step by step to install PHP on macOS.
Installing PHP on MacOS can seem like a daunting task for beginners, but it’s actually quite simple thanks to the Homebrew package manager. With just a few commands in the Terminal app, you can have PHP up and running on your Mac in no time.
Once you have PHP installed, you can customize its configuration settings and install extensions to enhance its functionality. You can also start a PHP server on your local machine to test your web applications.
How to Install PHP on MacOS
Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started with PHP, installing it on your Mac is an essential step toward building your web development skills. Follow the step-by-step instructions outlined in this tutorial to get started with PHP on your Mac today.
- Step 1: Install Homebrew
- Step 2: Install PHP
- Step 3: Verify PHP Installation
- Step 4: Configure PHP
- Step 5: Install PHP Extensions
- Step 6: Start PHP Server
Step 1: Install Homebrew
Homebrew is a package manager for macOS that simplifies the installation of software. To install Homebrew, open the Terminal app on your Mac and enter the following command:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process.
Step 2: Install PHP
Once Homebrew is installed, you can use it to install PHP. In the Terminal app, enter the following command:
brew install php
This will download and install the latest version of PHP available in Homebrew’s repository. Depending on your internet speed and Mac configuration, this may take a few minutes.
Step 3: Verify PHP Installation
To verify that PHP is installed correctly, enter the following command in the Terminal app:
php -v
This will display the version of PHP that is installed on your machine.
Step 4: Configure PHP
By default, PHP is installed with a few configuration settings that may need to be modified depending on your development needs. To configure PHP, you’ll need to locate the php.ini file.
Enter the following command in the Terminal app:
php --ini
This will display the location of the php.ini file on your machine. Open the file in a text editor and modify the settings as needed. Some common configuration changes include increasing the maximum execution time and memory limit.
Step 5: Install PHP Extensions
PHP extensions are additional features that can be added to PHP to extend its functionality. Homebrew makes it easy to install PHP extensions.
To install a PHP extension, enter the following command in the Terminal app:
brew install php-extension-name
Replace “extension-name” with the name of the extension you want to install. For example, to install the MySQL extension, enter the following command:
brew install php-mysql
Step 6: Start PHP Server
To start a PHP server on your Mac, navigate to the directory containing your PHP files in the Terminal app and enter the following command:
php -S localhost:8000
This will start a PHP server on your local machine that can be accessed by visiting http://localhost:8000 in your web browser.
Conclusion
Installing PHP on macOS is a straightforward process thanks to Homebrew. With PHP installed, you can start coding your web applications using one of the most popular server-side scripting languages available. Follow the steps outlined in this tutorial to get started with PHP on your Mac today.
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