> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://book.bsdcn.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://book.bsdcn.org/ask/flat/chapter-38-web-servers/di-38.4-jie-php.md).

# 38.4 PHP

PHP 8.x introduces a JIT compiler, with significant improvements to its type system and security mechanisms. This section covers installation via pkg, PHP-FPM configuration, and integration with Apache and MySQL.

## Installing PHP

Install using the pkg package manager:

```sh
# pkg install php84 php84-extensions mod_php84
```

> **Tip**
>
> Conflicts may exist between different PHP modules, which can cause Ports compilation to fail; therefore, enabling all PHP extensions is not recommended. Installing via pkg is recommended, as it handles inter-module dependencies better.

Alternatively, install PHP using Ports:

```sh
# cd /usr/ports/lang/php84/ && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/lang/php84-extensions/ && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/www/mod_php84 && make install clean
```

After installation, you can display the installed PHP version information with the following command:

```sh
# php -v
PHP 8.4.4 (cli) (built: Feb 15 2025 01:05:08) (NTS)
Copyright (c) The PHP Group
Zend Engine v4.4.4, Copyright (c) Zend Technologies
```

> **Note**
>
> The number `84` may vary depending on the PHP version. You can check the currently available PHP versions before installing.
>
> ```sh
> # pkg search -o lang/php    # Search for packages starting with lang/php in FreeBSD Ports/Packages
> lang/php-mode.el               PHP mode for GNU Emacs
> lang/php81                     PHP Scripting Language (8.1.X branch)
> lang/php81-extensions          "meta-port" to install PHP extensions
> lang/php82                     PHP Scripting Language (8.2.X branch)
> lang/php82-extensions          "meta-port" to install PHP extensions
> lang/php83                     PHP Scripting Language (8.3.X branch)
> lang/php83-extensions          "meta-port" to install PHP extensions
> lang/php84                     PHP Scripting Language (8.4.X branch)
> lang/php84-extensions          "meta-port" to install PHP extensions (8.4.X branch)
> ```

## Configuring the PHP Daemon

After installation, you need to complete the basic PHP configuration, including copying the configuration file and starting the PHP-FPM (FastCGI Process Manager) service.

Directory structure:

```sh
/usr/local/
├── etc/
│   ├── php.ini                    # PHP main configuration file
│   ├── php.ini-production         # PHP production environment sample configuration file
│   ├── php-fpm.conf               # PHP-FPM main configuration file
│   └── apache24/
│       └── Includes/
│           └── php.conf           # Apache PHP configuration file
└── www/
    ├── apache24/
    │   └── data/
    │       └── info.php           # PHP info test file (Apache)
    └── nginx/
        └── info.php               # PHP info test file (Nginx)
```

The PHP sample configuration file is located at **/usr/local/etc/php.ini-production**, which contains recommended settings suitable for production environments.

Copy the production environment PHP configuration file as the default configuration file, and display the copy process:

```sh
# cp -v /usr/local/etc/php.ini-production /usr/local/etc/php.ini
/usr/local/etc/php.ini-production -> /usr/local/etc/php.ini
```

Set the PHP-FPM service to start at boot:

```sh
# service php_fpm enable
php_fpm enabled in /etc/rc.conf
```

Start the PHP-FPM service to apply the configuration; the system will automatically check the configuration file syntax before starting:

```sh
# service php_fpm start
Performing sanity check on php-fpm configuration:
[25-Feb-2025 20:28:32] NOTICE: configuration file /usr/local/etc/php-fpm.conf test is successful
Starting php_fpm.
```

Check the current status of the PHP-FPM service to confirm whether it is running normally:

```sh
# service php_fpm status
php_fpm is running as pid 2592.
```

View post-installation information to understand the configuration instructions for mod\_php84:

```sh
# pkg info -D mod_php84
```

### References

* ComputingForGeeks. Install PHP 8.0 on FreeBSD 13 / FreeBSD 12\[EB/OL]. (2021-12-13)\[2026-03-25]. <https://computingforgeeks.com/how-to-install-php-8-on-freebsd-system/>. Detailed explanation of PHP 8 installation steps and dependency handling on FreeBSD.
* FreeBSD Project. PHP-FPM(8)\[EB/OL]. \[2026-03-25]. <https://man.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=php-fpm&sektion=8>. Systematic description of the PHP-FPM process management mechanism and configuration parameters.
* FreeBSD Forums. Apache and PHP\[EB/OL]. \[2026-03-25]. <https://forums.freebsd.org/threads/apache-and-php.80625/>. Provides practical experience for Apache and PHP integration configuration, suggesting installation of mod\_php84.

## PHP Configuration for Apache

If using Apache as the web server, corresponding configuration is needed so that Apache can correctly handle PHP files.

Edit the **/usr/local/etc/apache24/Includes/php.conf** file and add

```apache
<FilesMatch "\.php$">                           # Match files ending with .php
    SetHandler application/x-httpd-php          # Pass matched files to PHP for processing
</FilesMatch>
<FilesMatch "\.phps$">                          # Match files ending with .phps
    SetHandler application/x-httpd-php-source   # Display matched files as PHP source code
</FilesMatch>
```

Edit the **/usr/local/www/apache24/data/info.php** file and add:

```php
<?php
    phpinfo();
?>
```

This outputs the current PHP configuration information and runtime environment.

Restart the services:

```sh
# service php_fpm restart   # Restart the PHP-FPM service
# service apache24 restart  # Restart the Apache 24 service
```

Access `ip/info.php`, for example `http://192.168.179.150/info.php`:

> **Tip**
>
> The **192.168.179.150** in the above example is a placeholder and needs to be replaced with the actual value.

![Apache PHP8 FreeBSD](/files/PS0WUpH3p8oP7rHEzpQV)

## PHP Configuration for Nginx

If using Nginx as the web server, corresponding configuration is also needed so that Nginx can handle PHP files through PHP-FPM.

Edit the **/usr/local/etc/nginx/nginx.conf** file with the following modifications:

Remove all comment symbols `#` from the following lines:

```nginx
        #location ~ \.php$ {
        #    root           html;
        #    fastcgi_pass   127.0.0.1:9000;
        #    fastcgi_index  index.php;
        #    fastcgi_param  SCRIPT_FILENAME  /scripts$fastcgi_script_name;
        #    include        fastcgi_params;
        #}
```

Modify as follows:

```nginx
location ~ \.php$ {                                 # Match .php file requests
    root           /usr/local/www/nginx;           # Website root directory, modify according to actual path
    fastcgi_pass   127.0.0.1:9000;                 # FastCGI service address
    fastcgi_index  index.php;                       # Default FastCGI index file
    fastcgi_param  SCRIPT_FILENAME  $document_root$fastcgi_script_name;  # Full PHP script path, where $document_root represents the website root directory
    include        fastcgi_params;                 # Include FastCGI parameters file
}
```

Edit the **/usr/local/www/nginx/info.php** file and add test code to display PHP configuration information:

```php
<?php
    phpinfo();
?>
```

This displays the current PHP configuration information and runtime environment.

Restart the services to apply the configuration changes:

```sh
# service php_fpm restart    # Restart the PHP-FPM service to apply configuration changes
Performing sanity check on php-fpm configuration:
[25-Feb-2025 20:59:12] NOTICE: configuration file /usr/local/etc/php-fpm.conf test is successful
Starting php_fpm.
# service nginx restart    # Restart the Nginx service to apply configuration changes
Performing sanity check on nginx configuration:
nginx: the configuration file /usr/local/etc/nginx/nginx.conf syntax is ok
nginx: configuration file /usr/local/etc/nginx/nginx.conf test is successful
Stopping nginx.
Waiting for PIDS: 1153.
Performing sanity check on nginx configuration:
nginx: the configuration file /usr/local/etc/nginx/nginx.conf syntax is ok
nginx: configuration file /usr/local/etc/nginx/nginx.conf test is successful
Starting nginx.
```

Access `IP/info.php`, for example `http://192.168.179.150/info.php`:

![Nginx PHP8 FreeBSD](/files/0DDOgocTZf10lItwLjbG)

### References

* Vultr. How to Install PHP and PHP-FPM on FreeBSD 14.0\[EB/OL]. (2025-04-01)\[2026-03-25]. <https://docs.vultr.com/how-to-install-php-and-php-fpm-on-freebsd-14-0>. This article was previously the primary reference, providing detailed steps for Nginx and PHP-FPM integration.


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