Chapter 28. Obtaining PHP

This section has details about PHP download locations, and OS issues.

1. Where can I obtain PHP?
2. Are pre-compiled binary versions available?
3. Where can I get libraries needed to compile some of the optional PHP extensions?
4. How do I get these libraries to work?
5. I got the latest version of the PHP source code from the CVS repository on my Windows 95/NT machine, what do I need to compile it?
6. Where do I find the Browser Capabilities File?

1. Where can I obtain PHP?

You can download PHP from any of the members of the PHP network of sites. These can be found at http://www.php.net/. You can also use anonymous CVS to get the absolute latest version of the source. For more information, go to http://cvs.php.net/.

2. Are pre-compiled binary versions available?

Yes, although they are not always up to date. The Windows binary is generally current, but the Unix binaries lag behind and are only available for certain platforms. All download are available in the Downloads section.

3. Where can I get libraries needed to compile some of the optional PHP extensions?

Note: Those marked with * are not thread-safe libraries, and should not be used with PHP as a server module in the multi-threaded Windows web servers (IIS, Netscape). This does not matter in Unix environments, yet.

4. How do I get these libraries to work?

You will need to follow instructions provided with the library. Some of these libraries are detected automatically when you run the 'configure' script of PHP (such as the GD library), and others you will have to enable using '--with-EXTENSION' options to 'configure'. Run 'configure --help' for a listing of these.

5. I got the latest version of the PHP source code from the CVS repository on my Windows 95/NT machine, what do I need to compile it?

First, you will need Microsoft Visual C++ v6 (v5 may do it also, but we do it with v6), and you will need to download the support files. You will need to unzip this file (which has subdirectories, so make sure your unzip program keeps them) into the win32 subdirectory of the source distribution.

6. Where do I find the Browser Capabilities File?

You can find a browscap.ini file at http://www.cyscape.com/asp/browscap/.