To run a PHP script, you need to select the appropriate environment according to the purpose. 1. Local operation: Use integrated packages such as XAMPP, WAMP or MAMP to build an environment, put the PHP file into the http://localhost/yourfile.php through the browser to execute; Linux users can check and install PHP with sudo apt. 2. Command line running: Applicable to automation tasks, ensure that after PHP is added to PATH, enter the script directory in the terminal and execute php script.php. 3. Online testing: Quickly test code snippets through platforms such as 3v4l.org, phptester.net, etc., which are suitable for learning and sharing, but not for developing complete applications. The correct choice of method can make PHP running simple and efficient.
PHP scripts aren't like HTML files — you can't just double-click and run them. They need a special environment to work properly. If you're trying to execute PHP code on your own machine or a server, here's how to get it done the right way.

Setting up a local PHP environment
Before running any PHP script, you need a working environment that includes PHP itself, and optionally a web server like Apache or Nginx. The easiest way for beginners is using a package like XAMPP, WAMP (for Windows), or MAMP (for macOS).

- XAMPP is cross-platform and comes with everything pre-configured
- Just install, start the Apache server, and drop your
.php
file into thehtdocs
folder - Then visit
http://localhost/yourfile.php
in your browser
If you're on Linux, you might already have PHP installed. You can check by opening a terminal and typing:
php -v
If not, use your package manager to install it (eg, sudo apt install php
on Ubuntu-based systems).

Running PHP from the command line
You don't always need a browser to run PHP. If you're writing a script means for tasks like cron jobs or data processing, you can execute it directly in the terminal or command prompt.
Make sure PHP is available globally. On most systems, this means adding it to your PATH during installation or later. Once set up:
- Save your PHP script as something like
script.php
- Open a terminal or CMD and navigate to the folder containing the file
- Run:
php script.php
This method skips the web server entirely and outputs results straight to the console. It's fast and useful for automation.
Using an online PHP runner (for quick tests)
Sometimes you just want to test a small piece of code without setting up anything locally. Online tools like 3v4l.org, phptester.net, or JDoodle let you paste and run PHP snippets instantly.
These are great for:
- Learning basic syntax
- Testing compatibility across different PHP versions
- Sharing quick examples with others
But they're not suitable for full apps or sensitive data. Also, no file system or database access, so real development still needs a proper setup.
Running PHP scripts isn't complicated once you know what environment you need. Whether you're building a website, automating tasks, or just learning, there's a method that fits. Mostly, it just takes a bit of setup and knowing which tool to use when.
The above is the detailed content of How to run PHP scripts?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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