This section contains notes and hints specific to
installing PHP on OpenBSD 3.2.
Using binary packages to install PHP on OpenBSD is the
recommended and simplest method. The core package has been
separated from the various modules, and each can be
installed and removed independently from the others. The
files you need can be found on your OpenBSD CD or on the
FTP site.
The main package you need to install is php4-core-4.2.3.tgz, which contains the
basic engine (plus gettext and iconv). Next, take a look at
the module packages, such as
php4-mysql-4.2.3.tgz or
php4-imap-4.2.3.tgz. You need to use the phpxs command to activate and deactivate
these modules in your php.ini
file.
Read the packages(7) manual page for more
information about binary packages on OpenBSD.
You can also compile up PHP from source using the
ports tree. However, this is only recommended for users
familiar with OpenBSD. The PHP4 port is split into three
sub-directories: core, extensions and pear. The extensions
directory generates sub-packages for all of the supported
PHP modules. If you find you do not want to create some of
these modules, use the no_* FLAVOR.
For example, to skip building the imap module, set the
FLAVOR to no_imap.
Older releases of OpenBSD used the FLAVORS system to
compile up a statically linked PHP. Since it is hard to
generate binary packages using this method, it is now
deprecated. You can still use the old stable ports trees if
you wish, but they are unsupported by the OpenBSD team. If
you have any comments about this, the current maintainer
for the port is Anil Madhavapeddy.