How to Use PHP Command Line on Linux: Detailed Examples and Tips

In today's development environment, the combination of Linux and PHP is undoubtedly a powerful tool. Although most PHP applications are typically run on web servers, using the Linux PHP command line can greatly improve developers' efficiency. This article will introduce how to use PHP command line on Linux and provide practical examples to help developers better understand this tool.

What is Linux PHP Command Line?

Linux PHP command line refers to executing PHP scripts in the terminal of a Linux operating system. Compared to accessing PHP through a web browser, command-line execution is more efficient and flexible. It allows developers to quickly test code, process text files, and perform other tasks, making it an indispensable tool in development.

How to Access PHP Command Line

First, make sure PHP is installed on your system. You can check if PHP is installed using the following command:

php -v

If installed, the terminal will display the PHP version information. If it's not installed, you can use the package manager to install it. For example, on Ubuntu, you can run:

sudo apt-get install php

Running PHP Scripts in Linux Command Line

Create a simple PHP script file, such as “hello.php”. You can use the following code:

echo "Hello, World!";

Then, run the script in the terminal with the following command:

php hello.php

After execution, you will see the output “Hello, World!” in the terminal. This is one of the basic examples of using PHP command line on Linux.

Using Command Line Arguments

In addition to executing static scripts, the PHP command line also allows passing arguments. Modify the “hello.php” file as follows:

$name = $argv[1]; 
echo "Hello, " . $name . "!";

Then, use the following command in the terminal to run it:

php hello.php Alice

The output will be: “Hello, Alice!” In this example, the $argv array is used to receive the arguments passed via the command line.

Executing Multi-line PHP Commands

On the Linux command line, you can also execute multi-line PHP commands without creating a file. Simply type the following:

php -r 'for ($i=0; $i<5; $i++) { echo "$i\n"; }'

This command will output the numbers 0 through 4, demonstrating how to quickly write and execute PHP code in the command line.

Conclusion

Using PHP command line on Linux offers great flexibility and convenience for developers. Whether it's executing simple scripts, passing command-line arguments, or running multi-line commands, the Linux PHP command line is a powerful tool that boosts development efficiency. Mastering this technique will help you solve problems more efficiently and improve your overall workflow.

We hope this article helps you better understand how to use the Linux PHP command line and apply it in your development work.