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Version: 4.x

apache-php-handler

Notes​

To determine which method your web server is using to handle php files use the Administrator / System / Information links and select the PHP Information tab. Search the page for Server API. The common ways for an Apache web server to handle PHP files include the following:

mod_php​

  • Advantage: one of the fastest handlers available.
  • Disadvantage: only works with a single version of PHP, files saved by php scripts are owned by the Apache user.
  • To recognise: Server API - Apache 2.0 Handler

CGI/FastCGI​

  • Advantage: scripts run as the domain or subdomain user, very fast handler.
  • Disadvantage: slower than mod_php, cannot put PHP configuration changes in an .htaccess file.
  • To Recognise: Server API - CGI/FastCGI

FPM/FastCGI​

  • Advantage: very fast, additional level of flexibility.
  • Disadvantage: uses more memory than most of the others, cannot put PHP configuration changes in an .htaccess file.
  • To Recognise: Server API - FPM/FastCGI

On a local laptop or desktop computer you can use mod_php but you need to set the Apache user to your own username and point the document root to a location in your own file space. Otherwise you will have file and folder permissions problems.

On a hosting service you need to use one of the FastCGI alternatives. Hosting services may give you a choice.