How to install PHP and upgrade it ?

Introduction

PHP is a widely-used scripting language particularly suited for web development. It can be embedded into HTML and is often used in conjunction with web servers like Apache. This guide will walk you through the installation of PHP 7.2 along with the Apache PHP module and PHP FPM, and how to upgrade PHP from version 7.2 to 7.3 on an Ubuntu system.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure you have the following:

1. An Ubuntu system with administrative (sudo) access.

2. An active internet connection for downloading packages.

3. Basic knowledge of using the terminal.

Installing PHP 7.2 with Apache

1. Install PHP and Apache PHP Module

   sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php

2. Restart Apache Service

   sudo systemctl restart apache2

Installing PHP 7.2 FPM

1. Install PHP FPM Package

   sudo apt install php-fpm
   

2. Check PHP FPM Service Status

   systemctl status php7.2-fpm
  

3. Check PHP Version

   php -v

Upgrading PHP from 7.2 to 7.3

1. Install Software Properties Common

   sudo apt-get install software-properties-common

2. Add PHP PPA Repository

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php

3. Update Package List

   sudo apt-get update

4. Upgrade Installed Packages

   sudo apt-get upgrade

5. Install PHP 7.3

   sudo apt-get install -y php7.3

6. Check PHP Version

   php -v

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully install PHP 7.2 along with the necessary modules and upgrade your PHP version to 7.3 on an Ubuntu system. Ensuring your PHP version is up-to-date is crucial for maintaining security and leveraging the latest features and improvements. Always verify the version after installation or upgrade to confirm the changes have been applied correctly.