How to Check PHP Version: A Comprehensive Guide for Expert Developers

As an experienced software developer, you must be aware of the PHP version you are using in your projects. As one of the most popular server-side scripting languages, PHP has seen various updates and improvements over time. Keeping your PHP version up-to-date can help improve security, performance, and compatibility with modern frameworks and libraries. This detailed guide will explore several methods to check the PHP version on various platforms and configurations.

Checking PHP Version on the Command Lin

One of the quickest and most straightforward methods to check the PHP version is through the command line interface (CLI). The following steps will guide you on how to do it on different platforms.

Windows

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type cmd and press Enter to open the command prompt.
3. In the command prompt, type php -v and press Enter.

macOS and Linux

1. Open the terminal application.
2. Type php -v and press Enter.

The output should display the PHP version installed on your system. It will look similar to this:

PHP 8.0.10 (cli) (built: Sep  1 2021 19:34:55) ( NTS )
Copyright (c) The PHP Group
Zend Engine v4.0.10, Copyright (c) Zend Technologies
    with Zend OPcache v8.0.10, Copyright (c), by Zend Technologies

Finding PHP Version Using a PHP Script

Another method to check the PHP version is by creating a simple PHP script. This method is particularly useful if you want to verify the PHP version on a specific web server or hosting environment. Follow these steps:

1. Create a new file called php_version.php using a text editor.
2. Add the following code to the file:

<?php
echo 'Current PHP version: ' . PHP_VERSION;
?>

3. Save and upload the php_version.php file to your web server’s document root directory (usually named public_html, www, or htdocs).
4. Open your web browser and navigate to http://yourdomain.com/php_version.php (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name).

The PHP version will be displayed in the browser window.

Retrieving PHP Version Through phpinfo()

Using the phpinfo() function is another way to check the PHP version and gather detailed information about your PHP configuration. Follow these steps:

1. Create a new file called phpinfo.php using a text editor.
2. Add the following code to the file:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

3. Save and upload the phpinfo.php file to your web server’s document root directory.
4. Open your web browser and navigate to http://yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name).

The PHP version will be displayed at the top of the generated page, along with a wealth of information about your PHP installation and server configuration.

Note: Remember to remove the phpinfo.php file from your web server after you’ve obtained the necessary information. Leaving this file on your server may expose sensitive data to unauthorized users.

Checking PHP Version in Web Hosting Control Panels

Web hosting control panels often provide a convenient way to check the PHP version and manage multiple PHP installations. Below, we’ll talk about how to check the PHP version using two popular control panels: cPanel and Plesk.

cPanel

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. Locate the “Software” or “Software/Services” section and click on “Select PHP Version” or “MultiPHP Manager.”
3. The current PHP version for your account will be displayed, and you can change it if necessary.

Plesk

1. Log in to your Plesk account.
2. Click on “Websites & Domains” in the left-hand menu.
3. Locate the “PHP Settings” or “PHP Version” link for your domain and click on it.
4. The current PHP version will be displayed, and you can change it if necessary.

Verifying PHP Version with a Browser Extension

Browser extensions can also help you determine the PHP version of a website. Some popular browser extensions for this purpose include:

• Wappalyzer (available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge)
• BuiltWith (available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge)
• WhatRuns (available for Chrome and Firefox)

Install the browser extension of your choice and navigate to the website you want to check. The extension will display information about the site’s technology stack, including the PHP version (if detected).

Note: These browser extensions may not always provide accurate information, as they rely on specific patterns or headers to detect the PHP version. Additionally, some websites may hide their PHP version for security reasons.

Conclusion

Being aware of the PHP version on your development environment and production servers is crucial for ensuring compatibility, security, and optimal performance. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve discussed several methods to check the PHP version, from command-line tools to web-based approaches. Choose the method that best suits your needs, and always keep your PHP installations up-to-date.

With the knowledge you’ve gained from this guide, you can confidently check your PHP version and make informed decisions about upgrading or maintaining your current PHP installations.

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