Installing PHP Software
Some PHP software is completely installed by uploading the files to the server. Do that and you're good to go.
The software Text to JavaScript Converter is an example.
Some PHP software needs a bit of customization. Software to send email needs to know where to send it to, for example.
When editing PHP files, do so with a plain text processor like NotePad or TextWrangler. Web page creation software that will save the file as plain text can also be used.
Whether edited or not, if PHP software does not create or update data, installation is accomplished when the files have been uploaded to the server.
When the PHP software does create or update data, the data is likely to be plain text files or MySQL database records.
Plain Text Files
Generally, the files are created in a directory separate from where the PHP software files are located. If your PHP software can not create files in that directory, then give the directory 777 permissions.
But do 777 permissions only if needed. For better security, try 755 and 766 first.
MySQL Database Records
To install the PHP software, you'll need to know the database name, the user name, and the user password.
A database and/or user may need to be created. If you do not know how to create a database with MySQL, your hosting company should have tutorials available.
Different hosting companies do things differently. If your hosting company happens to provide you with cPanel, here is a short "how-to":
To get started, click on the "MySQL Databases" icon.
a. Create a database.
(You can use an already existing database, if you wish. In that case, skip to the next step.)
In the "Databases" section, type a name for a new database. Then click on AddDb.
Click on [go back].
b. Create a user.
(You can use an already existing user, if you wish. In that case, skip to the next step.)
In the "Users" section, type a username and password. Then click on Add User.
Click on [go back].
c. Add user to database.
(If the user is already added to the database, then this step doesn't need to be done.)
In the "Databases" section, select a user and a database. Then click on Add User to Db
Provide the MySQL database name, the user name, and the user password to the PHP software.
When PHP software is installed correctly, it can connect to the database and create/update database records automatically.
How easy PHP software is to install depends at least some on whether or not it needs to create/update files or database records.
Scripts that require a lot of customization can make the installation seem complicated, especially if the customization needs research to get it right.
In other words, some PHP software is easy to install. Others require more attention.
At Willmaster.com, we make software with an eye for simple and easy installation.
Will Bontrager
