To run PHP applications locally without a full web server, use the built-in PHP server by first ensuring PHP is installed via php -v 1. Install PHP if needed using package managers or XAMPP 2. Place your PHP files in a project directory and navigate to it via terminal 3. Start the server with php -S localhost:8000 and access your app at http://localhost:8000 4. Note that the server runs in the foreground and should not be used in production troubleshoot issues like syntax errors port conflicts or firewall settings when necessary.
Running code through the PHP built-in server is a quick and easy way to test PHP applications locally without setting up a full web server like Apache or Nginx. All you need is PHP installed on your system, and you're good to go.
Make Sure PHP Is Installed
Before you start, confirm that PHP is available on your machine. Open a terminal (or command prompt) and type:
php -v
If PHP is installed, you’ll see version information. If not, you'll need to install it first — how you do that depends on your operating system.
- On macOS (with Homebrew), use
brew install php - On Ubuntu/Debian, try
sudo apt install php - On Windows, consider using XAMPP or installing PHP manually
Once PHP is ready, you’re set to move on.
Place Your PHP Files in a Directory
The built-in server runs from a specific directory, which will act as the root of your local site. Usually, this is where your index.php or other PHP files live.
For example, say you have a small project like this:
my-project/ │ ├── index.php └── styles.css
Navigate into the my-project folder using the terminal:
cd path/to/my-project
Then run the server from there.
Start the Built-in Server
Run this command in your project folder:
php -S localhost:8000
This tells PHP to start a server listening on port 8000. You can change the port if needed (e.g., localhost:8080).
Now open your browser and visit:
http://localhost:8000
You should see your PHP content rendered in the browser.
A few things to note:
- The server runs in the foreground, so don’t close the terminal while you're testing
- You can access your site from other devices on the same network by replacing
localhostwith your machine’s IP address
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don’t work quite right out of the box. Here are a few common problems and what to check:
-
Blank screen or errors: Make sure your PHP file has valid syntax. Try running
php -l index.phpto check for errors. -
Port already in use: Use a different port like
php -S localhost:8080 -
Can't access from another device: Double-check your firewall settings and make sure you're using your machine's actual IP, not
localhost
Also, keep in mind that the built-in server is only meant for development and testing — never use it in production.
That's basically it. It’s simple, fast, and handy for quick tests.
The above is the detailed content of How to run code through PHP built-in server?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
Hot AI Tools
Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free
Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos
AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.
Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover
Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!
Hot Article
Hot Tools
Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor
SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use
Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment
Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools
SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)
Hot Topics
How do I implement authentication and authorization in PHP?
Jun 20, 2025 am 01:03 AM
TosecurelyhandleauthenticationandauthorizationinPHP,followthesesteps:1.Alwayshashpasswordswithpassword_hash()andverifyusingpassword_verify(),usepreparedstatementstopreventSQLinjection,andstoreuserdatain$_SESSIONafterlogin.2.Implementrole-basedaccessc
How can you handle file uploads securely in PHP?
Jun 19, 2025 am 01:05 AM
To safely handle file uploads in PHP, the core is to verify file types, rename files, and restrict permissions. 1. Use finfo_file() to check the real MIME type, and only specific types such as image/jpeg are allowed; 2. Use uniqid() to generate random file names and store them in non-Web root directory; 3. Limit file size through php.ini and HTML forms, and set directory permissions to 0755; 4. Use ClamAV to scan malware to enhance security. These steps effectively prevent security vulnerabilities and ensure that the file upload process is safe and reliable.
What are the differences between == (loose comparison) and === (strict comparison) in PHP?
Jun 19, 2025 am 01:07 AM
In PHP, the main difference between == and == is the strictness of type checking. ==Type conversion will be performed before comparison, for example, 5=="5" returns true, and ===Request that the value and type are the same before true will be returned, for example, 5==="5" returns false. In usage scenarios, === is more secure and should be used first, and == is only used when type conversion is required.
How do I perform arithmetic operations in PHP ( , -, *, /, %)?
Jun 19, 2025 pm 05:13 PM
The methods of using basic mathematical operations in PHP are as follows: 1. Addition signs support integers and floating-point numbers, and can also be used for variables. String numbers will be automatically converted but not recommended to dependencies; 2. Subtraction signs use - signs, variables are the same, and type conversion is also applicable; 3. Multiplication signs use * signs, which are suitable for numbers and similar strings; 4. Division uses / signs, which need to avoid dividing by zero, and note that the result may be floating-point numbers; 5. Taking the modulus signs can be used to judge odd and even numbers, and when processing negative numbers, the remainder signs are consistent with the dividend. The key to using these operators correctly is to ensure that the data types are clear and the boundary situation is handled well.
How can you interact with NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Redis) from PHP?
Jun 19, 2025 am 01:07 AM
Yes, PHP can interact with NoSQL databases like MongoDB and Redis through specific extensions or libraries. First, use the MongoDBPHP driver (installed through PECL or Composer) to create client instances and operate databases and collections, supporting insertion, query, aggregation and other operations; second, use the Predis library or phpredis extension to connect to Redis, perform key-value settings and acquisitions, and recommend phpredis for high-performance scenarios, while Predis is convenient for rapid deployment; both are suitable for production environments and are well-documented.
How do I stay up-to-date with the latest PHP developments and best practices?
Jun 23, 2025 am 12:56 AM
TostaycurrentwithPHPdevelopmentsandbestpractices,followkeynewssourceslikePHP.netandPHPWeekly,engagewithcommunitiesonforumsandconferences,keeptoolingupdatedandgraduallyadoptnewfeatures,andreadorcontributetoopensourceprojects.First,followreliablesource
What is PHP, and why is it used for web development?
Jun 23, 2025 am 12:55 AM
PHPbecamepopularforwebdevelopmentduetoitseaseoflearning,seamlessintegrationwithHTML,widespreadhostingsupport,andalargeecosystemincludingframeworkslikeLaravelandCMSplatformslikeWordPress.Itexcelsinhandlingformsubmissions,managingusersessions,interacti
How to set PHP time zone?
Jun 25, 2025 am 01:00 AM
TosettherighttimezoneinPHP,usedate_default_timezone_set()functionatthestartofyourscriptwithavalididentifiersuchas'America/New_York'.1.Usedate_default_timezone_set()beforeanydate/timefunctions.2.Alternatively,configurethephp.inifilebysettingdate.timez
