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How to Start PHP Service on Linux | Simple Steps and Practical Guide

gitbox 2025-06-28

Key Steps to Start PHP Service

Starting PHP service on a Linux system is a crucial step in the development and deployment of web applications. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to start PHP service on Linux, helping you quickly configure your PHP environment to meet development needs.

What is PHP Service?

PHP service is an environment used to run PHP code, handle user requests, execute application logic, and return the results. It is commonly used to build dynamic web applications. Starting PHP service during development allows developers to test and debug their code efficiently.

Prerequisites to Start PHP Service on Linux

Before starting the PHP service, make sure that PHP and a web server (such as Apache or Nginx) are installed. Below are the basic steps to install PHP:

<span class="fun">sudo apt update</span>
<span class="fun">sudo apt install php</span>

Check PHP Installation

After installation, you can check if PHP was installed successfully with the following command:

<span class="fun">php -v</span>

This command will display the PHP version information of your installation.

Using the Built-in PHP Server to Start PHP Service

The built-in PHP server is ideal for development and testing. Once you're in your project directory, run the following command to start the PHP built-in server:

<span class="fun">php -S localhost:8000</span>

This command starts the PHP built-in server on port 8000 of localhost. You can then access it through the browser at http://localhost:8000.

Customize Port and Host

If you need to run the service on a different port or host, adjust the parameters in the command like this:

<span class="fun">php -S 0.0.0.0:8080</span>

This will make the PHP server listen on port 8080 on all network interfaces.

Start PHP Service on Apache

If you prefer using Apache web server, follow these steps to start PHP service:

Install Apache and PHP Modules

First, install the Apache web server and the required PHP modules:

<span class="fun">sudo apt install apache2 libapache2-mod-php</span>

Configure Apache to Support PHP

Once the installation is complete, restart Apache to load the PHP module:

<span class="fun">sudo systemctl restart apache2</span>

Now, you can place your PHP files in the /var/www/html directory and access them by visiting http://your-server-ip/yourfile.php.

Conclusion

Starting PHP service on Linux is a simple and efficient process. Whether you choose to use the built-in PHP server or a traditional web server like Apache, ensuring that your PHP environment is configured correctly is key. The steps provided in this article will help you quickly start PHP service and streamline your web application development.