Installing PHP Software
Basic PHP Installation
Installing PHP software is straight-forward: Upload the script files into a public directory of your server.
When determining what is a public directory, think web pages. Web page files are in public directories so browsers can get them.
The index web page for your website, the web page that displays in the browser window when you type only your domain name into the browser's address bar, that page is a file in what's referred to as the "document root." The document root is the base public directory.
A subdirectory may be created inside a public directory to install the PHP software (unless the installation instructions say otherwise).
Read the installation instructions. The software may require some of the files to be in different directories.
Reading and following the instructions, provided they're well written, can smooth the installation considerably.
Letting PHP Write/Update a File
if the PHP software needs to write or update a file in the same directory it is installed in, the file may need 666 permissions (or 766 if you're superstitious about 666).
PHP Data Directories
If the PHP software requires a data directory where it will create and/or update files, the data directory may need 777 permissions.
Files the PHP software creates in the data directory will not need your intervention for permissions. The permissions are okay when the PHP software creates the files.
PHP and MySQL
Some PHP software uses MySQL (or other SQL database) for information storage and retrieval. Here is some general setup information.
If the PHP software uses MySQL, you'll need to know three items of information for the installation:
- Database name
- User name
- Password
Different hosting companies have different procedures for setting up a MySQL database. Your hosting company most likely has instructions online or otherwise accessible.
It is likely that your hosting company gives you access to phpMyAdmin or cPanel or both.
phpMyAdmin can be used to do a variety of things with MySQL. It can only do MySQL things. Should your hosting company's information be insufficient, doing a search for phpMyAdmin tutorial will provide links to additional resources.
When you've done it once, you'll feel more confident. Be certain the next time will be an easy stride.
Will Bontrager
