[Webdev] PHP4 RPM's

[adam beecher]

In case people weren't aware, there are PHP4 RPM's available from:

http://fsr.ku.dk/people/troels/rpms/php/

There's a core PHP RPM containing the mod_php module, and added functionality
comes in separate packages - i.e. if you need MySQL support, you install the
MySQL package, which contains a MySQL PHP module to be loaded at startup.
Alternatively, there's a standalone PHP binary for you to play with.

They're compiled by Troels Arvin, who tells me that there should be no
difference in speed, apart from at startup (because PHP and the modules aren't
compiled into the httpd binary). And Troels is very quick on updates - the PHP
4.0.2 RPM's were available the day after it went on general release.

People should also be aware that the standard Apache RPM from RedHat comes
compiled with DSO support (mod_so), so you shouldn't need to be tied down to
compiling anymore, unless you need special options.

The only thing to watch out for is the way the core RPM modifies httpd.conf when
it installs - even if you're upgrading, it writes the AddType directive right at
the bottom of the file, which means PHP is configured for the whole server. If
you have users on the machine you don't want to have access to PHP, you should
move the directive into the appropriate Directory or VirtualHost block(s).

If you use the packages and find them useful, please email Troels and let him
know.

Cheers,
adam

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