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Asked: 2024-09-27T01:49:27+05:30 In:

What is the process for installing the mbstring extension for PHP on an Ubuntu system?

I’ve been diving into PHP development lately, and I’m running into a bit of a roadblock. So, I’m hoping to tap into the community’s wisdom here. I’m trying to figure out how to install the mbstring extension for PHP on my Ubuntu system. I’ve heard it’s essential for handling multibyte character encoding, which is pretty important given that I’m working on a multi-language website.

I did some basic digging through the official PHP documentation and various forums, but, honestly, I got lost in a sea of technical jargon. I’ve got Ubuntu 20.04 installed, and I know how to use the terminal for basic stuff, but I could really use some guidance to make sure I don’t mess things up.

From what I understand, I might need to use `apt-get` to install the necessary packages, but I came across conflicting advice on whether I need to enable it in the `php.ini` file afterward. Like, do I have to check for a specific PHP version when I’m doing all of this? I have PHP 7.4 currently; is it straightforward, or are there any potential hiccups that I should be aware of?

I’ve also seen people mention something about server restarts or clearing caches after installation. Do I need to take those steps to see the changes?

If anyone could share a step-by-step process or any links to guides that helped you out, I’d really appreciate it. Perhaps if someone has faced similar issues installing other PHP extensions, your insights could help shine a light on this. Really trying to avoid a situation where I break my server when I just want to add a simple extension! Plus, I think it would make for a good learning experience. Cheers!

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    2 Answers



    1. Installing mbstring extension on Ubuntu

      How to Install mbstring Extension for PHP on Ubuntu 20.04

      It sounds like you’re on the right track wanting to install the mbstring extension! Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it might seem. Here’s a step-by-step guide that’s easy to follow.

      Step 1: Update Your Package List

      First up, open your terminal and make sure your package list is up-to-date. Run this command:

      sudo apt-get update

      Step 2: Install the mbstring Extension

      Now, you’ll want to install the mbstring extension. Since you’re using PHP 7.4, you can use this command:

      sudo apt-get install php7.4-mbstring

      Step 3: Enable the Extension

      Usually, when you install it like this, it should be enabled automatically. But if you want to be extra sure, you can enable it manually with the following command:

      sudo phpenmod mbstring

      Step 4: Check Your php.ini File (Optional)

      Just to double-check, you can open your `php.ini` file. Use this command to find its location:

      php --ini

      Look for a line saying `extension=mbstring`. If it’s not there, you can add it!

      Step 5: Restart Your Web Server

      After installing and enabling the extension, you might need to restart your web server for the changes to take effect. If you’re using Apache, just run:

      sudo systemctl restart apache2

      If you’re using Nginx, it’ll look like this:

      sudo systemctl restart nginx

      Step 6: Verify the Installation

      To confirm that mbstring is installed and working, create a PHP file (like `info.php`) in your web server’s root directory and add this line:

      <?php phpinfo(); ?>

      Then visit that file in your browser. Look for a section titled “mbstring” to see if it’s there!

      Common Hiccups

      Sometimes, conflicting PHP versions can mess things up. Make sure your command corresponds to the right version of PHP you’re using. Also, if you’re using any caching mechanisms (like OPcache), you might want to clear those caches too.

      Feel free to ask more questions if you’re still stuck, and happy coding!



    2. To install the mbstring extension for PHP on an Ubuntu 20.04 system, start by updating your package list and installing the required package using `apt-get`. Open your terminal and run the following commands:

      sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install php7.4-mbstring

      This will install the mbstring extension compatible with your PHP 7.4 setup. Once the installation is complete, you will likely need to restart your web server (Apache, Nginx, etc.) for the changes to take effect. You can do this with commands like `sudo systemctl restart apache2` or `sudo systemctl restart nginx`, depending on your setup. It’s generally not necessary to modify the `php.ini` file after installing mbstring, as it should be enabled automatically, but you can verify this by checking the output of `phpinfo();` or using the command `php -m` in your terminal to see a list of loaded extensions.


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