Ronald B Stamets, Web Site Design and Development Services

How to make sure php is running on your server

What is PHP?

Php is a coding language that unlike html, which is executed by a visitor's browser, is executed by the server itself. In other words, PHP when executed by the server, dynamically generates html for the visitor's browser to open. And unlike html, it is invisible to the outside world.

In order for a server to "parse" PHP code, it must have the PHP application running on it.

To check to be sure that PHP is running on your server, follow these instructions.
1. Open a new document in a plain text editor like Notepad or Vi.
2. Type in: <?php phpinfo(); ?>; (exactly like you see it on the left).
3. Save the document as test.php and upload or ftp it to the same place your home page resides on your server.
4. Open the test.php page with your browser (www.yoursite.com/test.php).

If PHP is running on your server the information page for the version of PHP running on your server will display.
Hopefully your version is newer than 4.2.3

If the page does not display, double check to make sure that the test.php file is in the same directory as your home page. If it is, and the PHP info page still does not display, your server does not have PHP running. Contact your server administrator to see if it is available. (It usually is for free).