Where Is The PHP.ini File Used By CLI?

Using the PHP Command to Find Configuration Files

The php --ini command helps you find the PHP configuration files used by the Command Line Interface (CLI). When you run this command in your terminal or command prompt, it shows information about the PHP configuration, including the location of the php.ini file.

To use this command, open your terminal or command prompt and type:

php --ini

The output will show several details, including the "Loaded Configuration File" which indicates the path of the php.ini file used by the CLI.

Common Locations for CLI PHP.ini Files

The location of the php.ini file for CLI can vary based on your operating system and PHP installation method. Here are some common default locations:

• On Windows: C:\php\php.ini or C:\Windows\php.ini
• On macOS: /etc/php.ini or /usr/local/php/php.ini
• On Linux: /etc/php.ini or /usr/local/lib/php.ini

If you can't find the php.ini file in these locations, a custom location might be used. To check for custom locations:

1. Look for environment variables that might specify a custom php.ini path.
2. Check your PHP installation documentation for any non-standard configurations.
3. Use the php --ini command as mentioned earlier to get the exact location.

Remember, the CLI version of PHP might use a different php.ini file than the one used by your web server. Always verify you're editing the correct file for your needs.

Confirming the Active Configuration

To check if you're editing the right PHP.ini file for the Command Line Interface (CLI), use these methods:

1. Run php --ini: This command shows the loaded configuration file. Compare this path with the file you're editing.

2. Check PHP settings via CLI: Verify settings using PHP's functions. Open your terminal and run:

   php -r "phpinfo();"

   This displays current PHP settings, including the loaded php.ini file path.

3. Use php -i: This shows PHP configuration information. Look for the "Loaded Configuration File" entry in the output.

4. Create a test script: Make a PHP file with this content:

   <?php
   echo php_ini_loaded_file();

   Run it from the command line to see the path of the loaded php.ini file.

5. Check for custom php.ini paths: Some systems use environment variables for custom php.ini locations. Look for variables like PHP_INI_SCAN_DIR or PHPRC in your system's environment settings.

These methods help you confirm you're working with the correct php.ini file for your CLI environment. This helps avoid confusion and makes sure your changes work when running PHP from the command line.

cp /path/to/your/php.ini /path/to/your/php.ini.backup

Enabling Extensions like PDO_MySQL

To enable extensions like PDO_MySQL in your PHP CLI environment, follow these steps:

1. Open the php.ini file with a text editor.

2. Find the extension section in the file.

3. Uncomment the extension line. For PDO_MySQL, find this line:

   ;extension=pdo_mysql

   Remove the semicolon (;) at the start:

   extension=pdo_mysql

4. If the line is missing, add it:

   extension=pdo_mysql

5. Save the php.ini file.

6. Run php -m in your terminal to see loaded modules. Check if PDO_MySQL is listed.

7. For CLI use, you don't need to restart services. Changes take effect the next time you run a PHP script from the command line.

8. Test the extension with a simple PHP script:

   <?php
   if (extension_loaded('pdo_mysql')) {
      echo "PDO_MySQL extension is enabled.";
   } else {
      echo "PDO_MySQL extension is not enabled.";
   }

   Run this script from the command line to confirm the extension is loaded.

Remember, changes to the CLI php.ini file only affect PHP when run from the command line. If you need these changes for your web server, you may need to modify a different php.ini file and restart your web server.

php --ini