Centos Install Php 7.4

CentOS, a community-driven free software effort focused on delivering a robust open-source ecosystem, is a popular choice for web servers due to its stability and enterprise-level maturity. PHP 7.4, the latest feature update to the PHP language before the major jump to PHP 8, brings performance improvements and new features that are crucial for modern web development. Installing PHP 7.4 on a CentOS server can significantly enhance web application performance and provide developers with new tools to write better code.

Prerequisites for Installing PHP 7.4 on CentOS

Before proceeding with the installation of PHP 7.4 on CentOS, it’s essential to ensure that your system meets the following prerequisites:

A CentOS server (CentOS 7 or 8)
Root or sudo privileges
Access to a terminal/command line
An active internet connection
Basic knowledge of Linux commands

Step-by-Step Guide to Install PHP 7.4 on CentOS

Installing PHP 7.4 on CentOS involves several steps, from updating the system packages to configuring the PHP environment. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through the process.

Updating System Packages

Begin by updating your CentOS system to ensure all existing packages are up to date. This can be done using the following command:

yum update -y

Enabling EPEL and Remi Repositories

The Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) and Remi repositories contain newer versions of packages, including PHP 7.4, which are not available in the default CentOS repositories. Enable them using the following commands:

yum install epel-release yum-utils -y
yum install http://rpms.remirepo.net/enterprise/remi-release-7.rpm

Configuring the Remi Repository

With the Remi repository installed, you need to enable the specific repository that contains PHP 7.4. You can do this by resetting the PHP module and then enabling the correct module stream:

yum-config-manager --disable 'remi-php*'
yum module reset php
yum module enable php:remi-7.4

Installing PHP 7.4

Now that the appropriate repository is enabled, you can proceed with the installation of PHP 7.4 along with some common extensions:

yum install php php-cli php-fpm php-mysqlnd php-zip php-devel php-gd php-mcrypt php-mbstring php-curl php-xml php-pear php-bcmath php-json

Verifying PHP Installation

After the installation is complete, verify that PHP 7.4 has been successfully installed by checking the version:

php -v

You should see output similar to:

PHP 7.4.x (cli) (built: date) ( NTS )

Configuring PHP 7.4 on CentOS

Once PHP 7.4 is installed, it’s important to configure it to suit your requirements. This includes setting up the correct time zone, memory limits, and other important settings in the php.ini file.

Editing the php.ini File

Locate and edit the php.ini file using your preferred text editor. For example, to edit with nano:

nano /etc/php.ini

Make the necessary changes such as:

date.timezone = "Your/Timezone"
memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 64M

Setting Up PHP-FPM for Web Servers

If you’re using a web server like Apache or Nginx, you’ll want to set up PHP-FPM (FastCGI Process Manager) to handle PHP processing. Start and enable PHP-FPM using systemctl:

systemctl start php-fpm
systemctl enable php-fpm

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Installation

During the installation and configuration of PHP 7.4 on CentOS, you may encounter issues such as conflicts with existing PHP versions or missing dependencies. Here are some tips for troubleshooting common problems.

Resolving Dependencies and Conflicts

If you run into dependency issues, make sure all repositories are correctly enabled and try cleaning the yum cache:

yum clean all
yum makecache

Dealing with Missing Extensions

In case certain PHP extensions are missing after installation, search for them using yum and install as needed:

yum search php-
yum install php-[extension]

Optimizing PHP 7.4 Performance on CentOS

To get the most out of PHP 7.4 on your CentOS server, consider implementing performance optimizations such as using OpCode caching with OPcache, tuning PHP-FPM pool settings, and leveraging content delivery networks for static assets.

Enabling and Configuring OPcache

OPcache improves PHP performance by storing precompiled script bytecode in shared memory. Enable and configure it by editing the php.ini file:

opcache.enable=1
opcache.memory_consumption=128
opcache.interned_strings_buffer=8
opcache.max_accelerated_files=4000
opcache.revalidate_freq=60
opcache.save_comments=1

Tuning PHP-FPM Pool Settings

Adjusting PHP-FPM pool settings can significantly improve resource usage and response times. Edit the pool configuration file typically found at /etc/php-fpm.d/www.conf and modify values like pm.max_children, pm.start_servers, pm.min_spare_servers, and pm.max_spare_servers based on your server’s resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install PHP 7.4 on CentOS 6?

CentOS 6 reached its end-of-life in November 2020, and it is recommended to upgrade to a more recent version of CentOS to install PHP 7.4.

How do I switch between multiple PHP versions?

You can use the scl tool to install and switch between multiple PHP versions on CentOS. However, remember to only have one version enabled at a time to avoid conflicts.

Is PHP 7.4 compatible with my existing web applications?

Most modern web applications should be compatible with PHP 7.4, but it’s always best to check the application’s documentation or test in a staging environment before upgrading.

What should I do if I encounter an error during the installation?

Carefully read the error message for clues and check online forums or official documentation for solutions. If the issue persists, consider seeking help from the CentOS or PHP communities.