PHP

Check current

php --version

Install current version

See apache install instructions to see how to install the current version that is in the default repos.

Install multiple versions

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHTv0FmvrTo

• Before doing this process it is assumed that apache and the current version of php is already installed.
• This approach only allows you to use one version at a time on the system.
• Tested on Ubuntu 22.04

Install dependency

NB: Normally already installed

sudo apt install software-properties-common

Add ppa for other versions

Previous step needed to ensure this command is available.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php

Install desired version

Replace 7.3 in the example with the version you are looking for

sudo apt install php7.3

Select versions of PHP that are installed and available

For Apache

Source: https://serverfault.com/questions/149039/how-to-change-what-version-of-php-apache2-uses

Example commands switch from 8.1 to 7.3

NB: Use of tab to autocomplete commands works and helped in ensuring I got the version numbers right.

Disable current module

sudo a2dismod php8.1

Enable replacement version

sudo a2enmod php7.3

Install MySQL Module for PHP

Source: https://zoomadmin.com/HowToInstall/UbuntuPackage/php-mysqli (Link seems to be broken now)

sudo apt install php7.3-mysql

Restart Apache

See instructions on restarting apache here.

For CLI

Will open a menu showing which are installed, and which one is active.

NB: sudo not needed to only view the list and see which is active. sudo is only needed if you want to change the selection.

sudo update-alternatives --config php