PHP Configuration

If problems are encountered with the way your server handles PHP packages, it may be necessary to view information about the way PHP is configured. You can do this by clicking PHP Configuration. Here, every configuration option from the language options to the maximum file upload size are displayed.

Please note that none of the PHP configuration information can be changed by using this feature. To change the way PHP is configured on your server, please contact your web host.

PHP Directives

Following is a brief description of what each Directive in the PHP Configuration table means.

 

• asp_tags: Tells whether your server allows PHP code to include the tags <% and %> instead of the standard <?php and ?> tags. If this option is turned off, a PHP script with ASP tags will not work properly.

 

• file_uploads: Tells whether your server will allow PHP scripts to receive files via HTTP (i.e., the web).

 

• include_path: Tells where your website will look for PHP files. Be sure that all PHP scripts you want to run are saved in the folder indicated here.
  max_execution_time: The number of seconds a PHP script is allowed to run before being closed. This limit prevents poorly written scripts from slowing your server down.

 

• max_execution_time: Specifies how long a PHP script is allowed to run before it is terminated.

 

• max_input_time: The number of seconds a PHP script is allowed to process information input to it, such as file uploads. This limit prevents the script from being overloaded and slowing your server down.

 

• memory_limit: The maximum number of bytes that a PHP script can use. This limit prevents poorly written scripts from occupying all your server’s available memory. When this field is set to -1, there is no memory limit.

 

• register_globals: Warning: This is an outdated feature that should be set to Off. Using a PHP script that requires this field to be turned on will make your site insecure.

 

• safe_mode: This feature ensures that the user running the PHP script has permission to perform all the tasks the script is written to do. For example, if the script is designed to change a file, the user will need the correct permissions to modify the file. The feature is outdated, however, so your web host may have it disabled, and use another security measure instead.

 

• session.save_path: When a visitor accesses your website, he is issued a unique user ID. Information about the user ID’s session, or time spent on your website, is stored to the web server. The session.save_path directive describes where that information is stored. (PHP allows you to make web content specific to a given visitor and session.)
  • If the Value column has a number in it, it refers to the number of directories the information is saved in. If your site has a lot of traffic, distributing session data among several folders makes it easier for the server to save and retrieve the information.
  • The text in the Value column tells the name of the directory that contains the subdirectories with the session information.

 

• upload_max_filesize: The maximum number of bytes that an uploaded file can contain.

 

Select a PHP Version

If your web host allows you to select the version of PHP that your website will use, you may select it from this screen.

To select a PHP version:

1. From the drop-down menu, select the version of PHP you wish to use, or select System Default to use the version your web host has chosen.
2. Click Update to update the selection.