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Asked: 2024-09-25T01:46:46+05:30 In:

What steps should I follow to update my PHP version to the most recent stable release on Ubuntu?

I’ve been using Ubuntu for quite a while now, and I’ve recently realized that I might be falling behind on my PHP version. I know it’s essential to keep everything updated for performance and security reasons, especially since I’m working on a couple of web projects that depend on it. However, I don’t want to mess things up since I’ve read that upgrading PHP on Ubuntu can sometimes be a bit tricky.

So, here’s my situation: I currently have PHP 7.4 installed, and I see that there are newer stable versions available—like PHP 8.0 and even 8.1. I’ve heard good things about the new features and improvements these versions offer, and I’m really eager to take advantage of them. But whenever I think about updating, I start to stress over breaking something in my existing projects.

What steps should I follow to update my PHP version to the most recent stable release? Should I back up my projects first, or is there a way to do it without causing too much disruption? I mean, do I need to completely remove the old version, or can I just upgrade it? Also, if anyone has suggestions on the best repositories to use for this, I’d love to hear them!

I’ve read through some documentation, but honestly, it can be overwhelming when you have to sift through so much information. It would be super helpful to get a step-by-step rundown from someone who has done it recently. Like, what commands should I be running in the terminal, and are there specific configurations I need to be aware of afterward?

And just to make sure, what if something goes wrong? What are the common pitfalls I should watch out for? Any tips on rolling back to the previous version if things don’t work out?

Looking forward to your insights! I really appreciate any help. Thanks!

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    2 Answers






    1. Upgrading PHP on Ubuntu


      Upgrading PHP on Ubuntu

      Upgrading PHP can seem a bit scary, but with the right steps, you should be able to do it without too much hassle. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for you:

      1. Backup Your Projects

      First things first, always back up your current projects. This should help you avoid any huge scares if something goes wrong!

      # You can just make a copy of your project folder like this:
cp -r /path/to/your/project /path/to/your/project_backup

      2. Add the PHP Repository

      To get the latest PHP versions, you should add a third-party repository. The ondřej Surý PPA is popular for this:

      sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php
sudo apt update

      3. Install the New PHP Version

      Now you can install the desired PHP version, like 8.1:

      sudo apt install php8.1

      4. Switch PHP Versions

      If you have multiple PHP versions installed, you can switch between them using:

      sudo update-alternatives --set php /usr/bin/php8.1

      5. Install Additional PHP Extensions

      Make sure to install any extensions you need for your projects:

      sudo apt install php8.1-cli php8.1-mbstring php8.1-xml php8.1-mysql

      6. Check Your PHP Version

      After everything is done, check if the new version is installed properly:

      php -v

      7. Common Pitfalls

      Some common things to watch out for:

      • Make sure your code is compatible with the new PHP version.
      • Check third-party libraries if they support the new version.
      • You may need to update your configuration files (like php.ini).

      8. Rolling Back

      If something goes south, you can roll back by switching back to the older version:

      sudo update-alternatives --set php /usr/bin/php7.4

      And if you need to uninstall the new version:

      sudo apt remove php8.1

      That’s it! Just keep a close eye on your projects after the upgrade to ensure everything works smoothly. Good luck, and happy coding!


    2. To update your PHP version on Ubuntu from 7.4 to a more recent version like 8.0 or 8.1, you should follow a few systematic steps while ensuring you maintain the integrity of your existing projects. First, it’s critical to back up your projects. This helps you safeguard against any unexpected issues that may arise during the upgrade. To upgrade PHP, you can utilize the ondrej/php repository, which is widely recognized for providing up-to-date PHP packages. Begin by adding the repository with the following commands:

      sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php
sudo apt update

      Next, you can install the desired PHP version using the command sudo apt install php8.1 (replace 8.1 with your desired version). You might also want to install common PHP extensions as follows: sudo apt install php8.1-cli php8.1-fpm php8.1-mysql. After installation, ensure to check your current PHP version with php -v to confirm the update. Configuration files for PHP might need adjustments post-upgrade, especially if you’re using a web server like Apache or Nginx. Therefore, also restart your web server with sudo systemctl restart apache2 or sudo systemctl restart nginx. If any issues occur post-upgrade, commonly associated pitfalls include deprecated functions or compatibility issues with various extensions; thus, carefully review the known changes in the new PHP version. In case you experience severe issues, you can easily roll back to your previous version by running sudo apt install php7.4.

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