Unix/OpenBSD installs

Using Binary Packages

Using binary packages to install PHP on OpenBSD is the recommended and simplest method. The core package has been separated from the various modules, and each can be installed and removed independently from the others. The files you need can be found on your OpenBSD CD or on the FTP site.

The main package you need to install is php4-core-4.3.3.tgz, which contains the basic engine (plus gettext and iconv). Next, take a look at the module packages, such as php4-mysql-4.3.3.tgz or php4-imap-4.3.3.tgz. You need to use the phpxs command to activate and deactivate these modules in your php.ini.

Due to an error in the OpenBSD 3.4 packages, the php4-gd-4.3.3-no_x11 package was not generated. You can still use the php4-gd-4.3.3 package, but it requires xbase34.tgz to be installed. The -stable branch of the ports tree has corrected this error, and a replacement package is being generated.

# pkg_add php4-core-4.3.3.tgz
# /usr/local/sbin/phpxs -s
# cp /usr/local/share/doc/php4/php.ini-recommended /var/www/conf/php.ini
  (add in mysql)
# pkg_add php4-mysql-4.3.3.tgz
# /usr/local/sbin/phpxs -a mysql
  (add in imap)
# pkg_add php4-imap-4.3.3.tgz
# /usr/local/sbin/phpxs -a imap
  (remove mysql as a test)
# pkg_delete php4-mysql-4.3.3
# /usr/local/sbin/phpxs -r mysql
  (install the PEAR libraries)
# pkg_add php4-pear-4.3.3.tgz

Read the packages(7) manual page for more information about binary packages on OpenBSD.

Using Ports

You can also compile up PHP from source using the ports tree. However, this is only recommended for users familiar with OpenBSD. The PHP4 port is split into two sub-directories: core and extensions. The extensions directory generates sub-packages for all of the supported PHP modules. If you find you do not want to create some of these modules, use the no_* FLAVOR. For example, to skip building the imap module, set the FLAVOR to no_imap.

Older Releases

Older releases of OpenBSD used the FLAVORS system to compile up a statically linked PHP. Since it is hard to generate binary packages using this method, it is now deprecated. You can still use the old stable ports trees if you wish, but they are unsupported by the OpenBSD team. If you have any comments about this, the current maintainer for the port is Anil Madhavapeddy (avsm at openbsd dot org).