How to Install PHP 8.0 on AlmaLinux

PHP 8.0 is a significant release in the PHP ecosystem, offering new features, performance improvements, and security updates. It introduces features like the JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler, union types, attributes, and improved error handling. If you’re using AlmaLinux, a stable and enterprise-grade Linux distribution, installing PHP 8.0 will provide a robust foundation for developing or hosting modern PHP applications.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing PHP 8.0 on AlmaLinux. Whether you’re setting up a new server or upgrading an existing PHP installation, this step-by-step guide will cover everything you need to know.

Why Choose PHP 8.0?

PHP 8.0 offers several enhancements that make it a compelling choice for developers:

1. JIT Compiler: Boosts performance for specific workloads by compiling code at runtime.
2. Union Types: Allows a single parameter or return type to accept multiple types.
3. Attributes: Provides metadata for functions, classes, and methods, replacing doc comments.
4. Named Arguments: Improves readability and flexibility by allowing parameters to be passed by name.
5. Improved Error Handling: Includes clearer exception messages and better debugging support.

With these improvements, PHP 8.0 enhances both performance and developer productivity.

Prerequisites

Before installing PHP 8.0, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

1. Update the AlmaLinux System:
   Ensure your system is up-to-date with the latest packages:

   sudo dnf update -y
   

2. Install Required Tools:
   PHP depends on various tools and libraries. Install them using:

   sudo dnf install -y gcc libxml2 libxml2-devel curl curl-devel oniguruma oniguruma-devel
   

3. Administrative Access:
   You need sudo or root privileges to install and configure PHP.

Step 1: Enable EPEL and Remi Repositories

PHP 8.0 is not available in the default AlmaLinux repositories, so you’ll need to enable the EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) and Remi repositories, which provide updated PHP packages.

1.1 Enable EPEL Repository

Install the EPEL repository:

sudo dnf install -y epel-release

1.2 Install Remi Repository

Install the Remi repository, which provides PHP 8.0 packages:

sudo dnf install -y https://rpms.remirepo.net/enterprise/remi-release-8.rpm

1.3 Enable the PHP 8.0 Module

Reset the default PHP module to ensure compatibility with PHP 8.0:

sudo dnf module reset php -y
sudo dnf module enable php:remi-8.0 -y

Step 2: Install PHP 8.0

Now that the necessary repositories are set up, you can install PHP 8.0.

2.1 Install the PHP 8.0 Core Package

Install PHP and its core components:

sudo dnf install -y php

2.2 Install Additional PHP Extensions

Depending on your application requirements, you may need additional PHP extensions. Here are some commonly used extensions:

sudo dnf install -y php-mysqlnd php-pdo php-mbstring php-xml php-curl php-json php-intl php-soap php-zip php-bcmath php-gd

2.3 Verify the PHP Installation

Check the installed PHP version:

php -v

You should see output similar to:

PHP 8.0.x (cli) (built: ...)

Step 3: Configure PHP 8.0

Once installed, you’ll need to configure PHP 8.0 to suit your application and server requirements.

3.1 Locate the PHP Configuration File

The main PHP configuration file is php.ini. Use the following command to locate it:

php --ini

3.2 Modify the Configuration

Edit the php.ini file to adjust settings like maximum file upload size, memory limits, and execution time.

sudo nano /etc/php.ini

Common settings to modify:

• Maximum Execution Time:

  max_execution_time = 300
  

• Memory Limit:

  memory_limit = 256M
  

• File Upload Size:

  upload_max_filesize = 50M
  post_max_size = 50M
  

3.3 Restart the Web Server

Restart your web server to apply the changes:

• For Apache:

  sudo systemctl restart httpd
  

• For Nginx with PHP-FPM:

  sudo systemctl restart php-fpm
  sudo systemctl restart nginx
  

Step 4: Test PHP 8.0 Installation

4.1 Create a PHP Info File

Create a simple PHP script to test the installation:

sudo nano /var/www/html/info.php

Add the following content:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

4.2 Access the Test File

Open your web browser and navigate to:

http://<your-server-ip>/info.php

You should see a detailed PHP information page confirming that PHP 8.0 is installed and configured.

4.3 Remove the Test File

For security reasons, delete the test file after verification:

sudo rm /var/www/html/info.php

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues

5.1 PHP Command Not Found

Ensure the PHP binary is in your PATH. If not, add it manually:

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/bin/php

5.2 PHP Extensions Missing

Install the required PHP extensions from the Remi repository:

sudo dnf install -y php-<extension-name>

5.3 Web Server Issues

If your web server cannot process PHP files:

• Verify that PHP-FPM is running:

  sudo systemctl status php-fpm
  

• Restart your web server:

  sudo systemctl restart httpd
  

Step 6: Installing Composer (Optional)

Composer is a dependency manager for PHP that simplifies package management.

6.1 Download Composer

Download and install Composer:

php -r "copy('https://getcomposer.org/installer', 'composer-setup.php');"
php composer-setup.php --install-dir=/usr/local/bin --filename=composer
php -r "unlink('composer-setup.php');"

6.2 Verify Installation

Check the Composer version:

composer --version

Step 7: Upgrade from Previous PHP Versions (Optional)

If you’re upgrading from PHP 7.x, ensure compatibility with your applications by testing them in a staging environment. You may need to adjust deprecated functions or update frameworks like Laravel or WordPress to their latest versions.

Conclusion

Installing PHP 8.0 on AlmaLinux enables you to take advantage of its improved performance, modern syntax, and robust features. Whether you’re hosting a WordPress site, developing custom web applications, or running APIs, PHP 8.0 offers the tools needed to build fast and scalable solutions.

By following this guide, you’ve successfully installed and configured PHP 8.0, added essential extensions, and verified the installation. With your setup complete, you’re ready to start developing or hosting modern PHP applications on AlmaLinux!