README

orange35/phpv is a php wrapper which replaces the php command and executes a PHP CLI version specified in the one of the following files:

• .htaccess_dev *1
• .htaccess
• .phpv

For example:

When you run the following command

php -v

PHP Wrapper searches for first of following files:

• ./.phpv
• ./.htaccess_dev
• ./.htaccess
• ./public/.htaccess_dev
• ./public/.htaccess
• ./www/.htaccess_dev
• ./www/.htaccess
• ./public_html/.htaccess_dev
• ./public_html/.htaccess

If it is either a .htaccess_dev or .htaccess file it is looks for a string like:

SetHandler proxy:fcgi://php71

or

AddHandler application/x-httpd-php71 .php

if it is a .phpv file the wrapper reads its content which will be a cli command name e.g.:

php71

and executes php71 -v instead of php -v

The commands like php71, php72 and so on must be available in your system. If not, please see the installation notes #4-6 below.

If there is no PHP version specified in the .phpv, .htaccess_dev or .htaccess file then either:

• a version specified in the PHPV_DEFAULT env variable will be used (if exists)
• a default php version of your system will be used (if exists), e.g.: /usr/bin/php
• the PHPV: can't find PHP CLI error message will be thrown

Installation

1. Install composer if not available

2. Install the package

    composer global require orange35/phpv
   

3. If there are already commands like php71, php72 and so on in your system then skip the steps 4-6.

4. Make sure the PATHs order is the following in your ~/.bashrc or ~/.profile:

    PATH=$HOME/bin:$HOME/.composer/vendor/bin:$PATH
   

5. Logout your bash/SSH console and log in again to execute new changes in the ~/.bashrc or ~/.profile.

6. Create symlinks in the ~/bin to different php version, e.g:

    php70 -> /opt/php7.0/bin/php
    php71 -> /opt/php7.1/bin/php
    php72 -> /opt/php7.2/bin/php
    php73 -> /opt/php7.3/bin/php
    php74 -> /opt/php7.4/bin/php
   

Usage

1. go to your project

    cd ~/public_html/example.com
   

2. check what is php version

    $ php -v
    PHP 7.0.33 (cli) ...
   

3. create an .htaccess_dev file if doesn't exist

   cp .htaccess .htaccess_dev
   

4. specify a PHP version in the .htaccess_dev file

    # The next line affects the Apache +  mod_suphp configuration 
    AddHandler application/x-httpd-php73 .php
    #
    # The next lines affects the Apache + php-fpm configuration
    <IfModule !mod_suphp.c>
        <FilesMatch \.php$>
            SetHandler proxy:fcgi://php73
        </FilesMatch>
    </IfModule>
   

5. check what is php version now

   $ php -v
   PHP 7.3.9 (cli) ...
   

Notes

*1 - The .htaccess_dev file may be used (if exists) instead of .htaccess if you have the following Apache configuration:

    AccessFileName .htaccess_dev .htaccess

It is very convenient to have a development version of .htaccess file which doesn't affect the production version.