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HomeBackend DevelopmentPHP TutorialWhy am I getting the \'Call to undefined function json_decode()\' error even though my PHP version is greater than 5.1?

Why am I getting the

PHP Fatal Error: Call to Undefined Function json_decode()

Problem Description:

PHP is throwing a fatal error "Call to undefined function json_decode()" despite php --version indicating a PHP version greater than 5.1, which should include JSON support.

Answer:

Using Ubuntu?

  • Install the appropriate PHP JSON module:

    • sudo apt-get install php7.2-json (or php7.1-json or php5-json)
  • Restart Apache or PHP-FPM:

    • sudo service apache2 restart (or php7.2-fpm restart)

Explanation:

  • Debian has removed the previous JSON extension in PHP 5.5rc2 due to a license conflict.
  • A functionally equivalent replacement extension is now offered.
  • PHP itself has not removed JSON support, and it remains built-in.
  • This issue is specific to distro packaging, which is not controlled by PHP.

Additional Details:

  • [Iteration99: PHP, JSON Licensing, and PHP 5.5](http://iteration99.com/2013/php-json-licensing-and-php-5-5/)
  • [Bye Bye Non-Free PHP JSON Extension](http://liorkaplan.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/bye-bye-non-free-php-json-extension/)
  • [Bug Report in PHP](https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=63520)
  • [Phil Sturgeon Blog: FUD Cracker](http://philsturgeon.co.uk/blog/2013/08/fud-cracker-php-55-never-lost-json-support)

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