How to Run Multiple PHP Versions Simultaneously in XAMPP?

How to Utilize Multiple PHP Versions Simultaneously in XAMPP

Introduction:

XAMPP is a popular local development environment that provides a complete stack for web development. The default PHP version in XAMPP may not suffice for certain project requirements. However, the question arises: how can developers conveniently switch between PHP versions within XAMPP? This article addresses this query and offers multiple solutions for running different PHP versions concurrently.

Solution Overview:

Instead of switching PHP versions, there are four options to use multiple PHP versions in a single XAMPP installation:

• Run an older PHP version for specific project directories
• Run an older PHP version on a separate port of XAMPP
• Run an older PHP version on a virtualhost
• Use a tool like PHP Compatibility Checker

Detailed Implementation:

1. Run An Older PHP Version for Specific Project Directories:

• Download the non-Thread Safe (NTS) version of PHP (e.g., PHP 5.6) from php.net and extract it to a directory (e.g., c:xamppphp56).
• Configure php.ini in the PHP 5.6 directory to uncomment the "extension_dir=" line.

• Edit the Apache config file (httpd-xampp.conf) and add the following:

  ScriptAlias /php56 "C:/xampp/php56"
  Action application/x-httpd-php56-cgi /php56/php-cgi.exe
  <directory>
    [...]
    <filesmatch>
        SetHandler application/x-httpd-php56-cgi
    </filesmatch>
  </directory>

• Add directories to the Apache config file that should use PHP 5.6:

  <directory>
    [...]
    <filesmatch>
        SetHandler application/x-httpd-php56-cgi
    </filesmatch>
  </directory>

2. Run An Older PHP Version on a Separate Port:

• Add the following to the Apache config file:

  Listen 8056
  <virtualhost>
    [...]
    <filesmatch>
        SetHandler application/x-httpd-php56-cgi
    </filesmatch>
  </virtualhost>

• Configure your browser to go to port 8056 to use PHP 5.6.

3. Run An Older PHP Version on a Virtualhost:

• Create a directory for the virtualhost (e.g., C:xampphtdocs56).

• Add the following to the Apache config file:

  <virtualhost>
    DocumentRoot "C:\xampp\htdocs56"
    ServerName "localhost56"
    [...]
    <filesmatch>
        SetHandler application/x-httpd-php56-cgi
    </filesmatch>
  </virtualhost>

4. Use PHP Compatibility Checker:

• Install the PHP Compatibility Checker Composer package.
• Update the composer.json file to include the package and run composer install.
• The checker will scan your project files and highlight incompatible code with the PHP version you are using.

Restart Apache

After configuring XAMPP, it is crucial to restart Apache to apply the changes.

Conclusion:

Implement one of the aforementioned solutions to run multiple PHP versions simultaneously in XAMPP. This flexibility allows developers to accommodate various project requirements while preserving existing legacy code.

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