Kali Linux PHP Configuration Guide: How to Install and Optimize PHP Environment

gitbox 2025-06-29

Installing PHP on Kali Linux

Before starting the configuration, you need to install PHP on Kali Linux. You can install it by running the following commands in the terminal:

sudo apt update

The above commands will update your package list and install PHP along with some commonly used modules. After installation, check the PHP version using the following command to confirm the installation was successful:

php -v

Configuring the PHP Environment

The PHP configuration file is usually located at /etc/php/7.x/cli/php.ini (adjust the path according to your version). Here’s how to edit and configure it:

Editing the php.ini File

Use a text editor like nano or vim to open the php.ini file with the following command:

sudo nano /etc/php/7.x/cli/php.ini

In the file, you can modify the following configuration options based on your needs:

error_reporting: Set the error reporting level, enabling all errors to be displayed in development mode.
display_errors: It’s recommended to set this to On to display errors during development.
date.timezone: Ensure you set the correct timezone to avoid time-related issues.

Configuring PHP Extensions

Depending on your project requirements, you may need to install additional PHP extensions. For example, to use the GD library for image processing, run the following command:

sudo apt install php-gd

After installing the extensions, remember to restart your web server to apply the changes.

Testing PHP Configuration

To verify that your PHP configuration is working, create a simple PHP file for testing. In your web root directory (usually /var/www/html/), create a file called info.php:

sudo nano /var/www/html/info.php

Enter the following content into the file:

phpinfo();

After saving the file, you can visit http://your-IP-address/info.php in your browser to view your PHP configuration details.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have successfully installed and configured PHP in Kali Linux. Be sure to regularly update your packages, maintain system security, and consult official documentation for the latest PHP features. With proper PHP configuration, you can significantly boost your development efficiency.