Installing PHP Software
Installing PHP software can be as simple as uploading a file to the server. Then typing its URL into your browser to use the software.
There can also be a bit more to it.
The "bit more to it" happens when the software:
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Consists of more than one file.
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Needs files to be in a specific directory.
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Requires MySQL access.
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Creates/maintains one or more plain text files or non-SQL databases.
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Must be configured.
There may be other considerations that make PHP installation more than a simple file upload. But let's address the above one by one.
The software consists of more than one file.
The installation instructions should tell you which files to upload.
The software needs files to be in a specific directory to be in a specific directory.
A directory or directories may need to be created before the files are uploaded. Again, the installation instructions should tell you which files to upload, and where.
The software requires MySQL access.
The software will need to know:
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The location of MySQL. This may be "localhost" or another location. If not localhost, cPanel or the hosting company can provide the location.
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The database name.
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A username that may access the database.
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The password for the username.
The installation instructions should tell you exactly how to specify the information for the software to use.
The software creates/maintains one or more plain text files or non-SQL databases.
When the software creates or maintains other files, the files generally may be in directories other than where the PHP software resides. The installation instructions should let you know.
The directories where the software creates or maintains files may need 766 or 777 permissions. Sometimes 755 (the general default) will be sufficient. It depends on how PHP is set up and configured on the server your domain is hosted at.
If 755 doesn't work, try 766. If still no joy, then 777. In general, it is better security to specify the lowest permissions number that will work.
The software must be configured.
The software may need to be configured beyond the expected MySQL connection specifications (if it used MySQL). A control panel username and password may need to be specified, for example.
Different PHP software titles will have different ways to specify additional configuration. The installation instructions should contain everything you need.
Although PHP is technically CGI software, installation is different than Perl CGI software.
Perl software files generally need 755 permissions. PHP does not.
Perl software often (but not always) needs to be uploaded into a cgi-bin directory or other directory configured to be used as a cgi-bin. PHP can run in any public directory except cgi-bin-configured directories.
As you've seen, installing PHP software can be really, really easy. And, depending on the software, there can be a bit more to it.
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Will Bontrager
