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 web site, 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.
cPanel allows web site owners to manage many aspects of
their domains. One of it's functions is MySQL maintenance.
If you need or want them,
http://www.cpanel.net/media/tutorials/addmysql.htm has a
how-to video and http://www.cpanel.net/support/docs/ has
links to user guides.
When you've done it once, you'll feel more confident. Be
certain the next time will be an easy stride.
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Will Bontrager
©2008 Bontrager Connection, LLC
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