Install PHP 8.5 and run your first command

Install on Linux

On Debian and Ubuntu one package is enough for this course. Update the package list first, then install PHP.

Update the package list

sudo apt update

Install PHP

sudo apt install php

The package manager may install an older PHP than 8.5. That is fine for this course: every example works on PHP 8.1 and newer.

Check the version

Check what was installed with one command:

Show the installed PHP version

php -v

You will see something like PHP 8.5.0 followed by build details. If the terminal answers command not found, the install step above did not finish.

Try the interactive shell

PHP ships with an interactive shell: a prompt that runs each line at once. Open it, type one line, and close it with Ctrl+D.

Open the interactive shell

php -a

Inside the shell every line runs at once:

echo 2 + 2; // 4 echo "hi"; // hi

Start the built-in server

For web pages PHP has a built-in server for learning. Run it inside your project folder, then open the address in a browser.

Start the built-in server on port 8000

php -S localhost:8000

Leave that terminal open while you work. Press Ctrl+C when you want to stop the server.

Next: Your first PHP script

Article author: Arthur Isaev