Re: [cobalt-users] PHP, Apache, MySQL issue

[Kris Dahl <krislists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I am setting up a client on a RaQ3 with a shopping site, complete with a
> cart, online ordering, etc...this is all being done using PHP &
> MySQL...however, I just recently discovered a major problem. I'm not real
> certain of the terminology, but I know php can be installed two different
> ways...one is "under" apache, so that it works with it, and the other does
> not; it installs like perl would, so that a separate process has to be
> launched for each php script interpreted. Whenever I have installed PHP it
> has installed the first way (must be the default)...I have never known or
> cared to know the difference but I have been told that if not installed
> the first way, persistent database connections do not work.

The first is called as an 'Apache Module', or 'mod_php' and the second
method is called 'As a CGI' or 'standalone'.

> The question: Is there any way I can reconfigure apache so that I can
> install PHP so that it will accept Persistent DB connections and not
> tamper with the ChiliSoft program?

It is rare that you want PHP compiled as a CGI.  This is more for
portability than anything.  Chances are if you are running Apache you want
to run PHP as a module.  The performance difference is very large.

> ERROR MESSAGE:
> apxs:Warning: /usr/bin/httpd not found or not executable
> apxs:Warning: Continuing anyway...
> apxs:Warning: No shared object support for Apache
> apxs:Warning: available under your platform. Make sure
> apxs:Warning: the Apache module mod_so is compiled into
> apxs:Warning: your server binary `/usr/bin/httpd'.
> apsx:Warning: Continuing anyway...

Essentially this is the problem--either Apache was not compiled with mod_so
or the path to APXS was incorrect when configuring PHP.

The instructions INSTALL.DSO that came with PHP should provide you with
information on how to make it happen.

Specifically Apache should be compiled like so
./configure --prefix=/path/to/apache --enable-shared=max
make
make install

and then PHP should be comipiled
./configure --with-axps=/path/to/apache/bin/apxs

There is more in-depth documentation on this list on how to install PHP and
Apache (by compiling your own, not installing an RPM or .pkg).

-k