What to Do If the timezone_version_get Function Is Unavailable? How to Check If It’s Disabled and Fix It

1. The Purpose of the timezone_version_get Function

The timezone_version_get function is used to retrieve the version of the timezone database, usually returning a string that represents the current version of the system’s timezone database. This function is only supported in PHP 5.5.0 and above, so if your PHP version is lower, it may not be available.

Example code:

<span><span><span class="hljs-meta">&lt;?php</span></span><span>  
</span><span><span class="hljs-keyword">echo</span></span><span> </span><span><span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">timezone_version_get</span></span><span>();  
</span><span><span class="hljs-meta">?&gt;</span></span><span>  
</span></span>

If the PHP environment supports this function, it will return a string such as 2019.3, which indicates the current timezone database version.

2. How to Check If timezone_version_get Is Disabled

If you encounter an “unavailable function” issue when running timezone_version_get in PHP, check the following:

1. Check PHP Version

The timezone_version_get function requires PHP version 5.5.0 or higher. If you are using a lower version, it won’t be supported. You can check your PHP version with the following code:

<span><span><span class="hljs-meta">&lt;?php</span></span><span>  
</span><span><span class="hljs-keyword">echo</span></span><span> </span><span><span class="hljs-string">&#039;PHP version: &#039;</span></span><span> . </span><span><span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">phpversion</span></span><span>();  
</span><span><span class="hljs-meta">?&gt;</span></span><span>  
</span></span>

If your PHP version is lower than 5.5.0, it’s recommended to upgrade to a version that supports the function.

2. Check php.ini Configuration

Sometimes the timezone_version_get function might be disabled by modifying the php.ini file. You can check the disable_functions directive to see if the function is listed there. Open the php.ini file and look for:

<span><span><span class="hljs-attr">disable_functions</span></span><span> = </span><span><span class="hljs-string">"timezone_version_get"</span></span><span>  
</span></span>

If timezone_version_get is included, remove it or comment out the line, then restart your PHP service.

3. Check If the Date Extension Is Enabled

The timezone_version_get function depends on the date extension. If this extension is not enabled, the function won’t work. You can check with the following code:

<span><span><span class="hljs-meta">&lt;?php</span></span><span>  
</span><span><span class="hljs-keyword">if</span></span><span> (</span><span><span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">extension_loaded</span></span><span>(</span><span><span class="hljs-string">&#039;date&#039;</span></span><span>)) {  
    </span><span><span class="hljs-keyword">echo</span></span><span> </span><span><span class="hljs-string">"date extension is enabled\n"</span></span><span>;  
} </span><span><span class="hljs-keyword">else</span></span><span> {  
    </span><span><span class="hljs-keyword">echo</span></span><span> </span><span><span class="hljs-string">"date extension is not enabled\n"</span></span><span>;  
}  
</span><span><span class="hljs-meta">?&gt;</span></span><span>  
</span></span>

If the output says “date extension is not enabled,” you need to enable it in php.ini. Find the following line:

<span><span><span class="hljs-attr">extension</span></span><span>=date.so  
</span></span>

If it’s commented out (with a semicolon ;), remove the semicolon and restart PHP.

3. Solutions

If you confirm that the timezone_version_get function is disabled or unavailable, here are some common solutions:

1. Upgrade PHP Version

As mentioned, the timezone_version_get function requires PHP 5.5.0 or higher. If you’re using an older version, upgrade to PHP 7.x or later for better compatibility and performance.

2. Modify php.ini Configuration

Check the disable_functions directive in php.ini and ensure timezone_version_get is not listed. Edit the php.ini file, remove the restriction, and restart PHP.

3. Enable the Date Extension

Make sure the date extension is enabled, as it is essential for timezone-related functions. If it’s disabled, enable it in php.ini and restart PHP.

4. Use an Alternative Approach

If your PHP version is too low and cannot be upgraded, you can use other methods to retrieve timezone information, such as the DateTimeZone class:

<span><span><span class="hljs-meta">&lt;?php</span></span><span>  
</span><span><span class="hljs-variable">$timezone</span></span><span> = </span><span><span class="hljs-keyword">new</span></span><span> </span><span><span class="hljs-title class_">DateTimeZone</span></span><span>(</span><span><span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">date_default_timezone_get</span></span><span>());  
</span><span><span class="hljs-keyword">echo</span></span><span> </span><span><span class="hljs-variable">$timezone</span></span><span>-&gt;</span><span><span class="hljs-title function_ invoke__">getVersion</span></span><span>();  
</span><span><span class="hljs-meta">?&gt;</span></span><span>  
</span></span>

Although this method doesn’t provide the timezone database version number, it can still offer useful details about the current timezone for certain scenarios.

4. Summary

timezone_version_get is a useful function for retrieving the current timezone database version. If it’s unavailable, first check your PHP version, php.ini configuration, and whether the date extension is enabled. Upgrading PHP, adjusting php.ini, or enabling necessary extensions typically resolves the issue. If none of these solutions are viable, consider using alternative methods to obtain timezone information.