[Phpwm] Upgrading PHP Version on server.

[Elliot Smith]

Chris Allen wrote:
> I am about to upgrade the version of PHP on a server and need the 
> advice of as many gurus as possible, hence me posting on this list ;)
>
> The company linux server hosts websites for about 60 clients, and I 
> need to make the right choice so I don't break anything.
>
> The version at the moment is 4.1.2 (OLD!!) and the link to the phpinfo 
> is:
>
> http://www.cms.istl.com/phpinfo.php
>
> But this is too old for the new framework I am using (codeigniter) as 
> this requires a minimum of 4.3 to run.
>
> I am trying to decide on which version is best to upgrade to, ideally 
> it would be v5.2, which is the very latest official release, but I am 
> thinking that could potentially cause problems with old code? I have 
> no idea exactly what php code is on the server, but I do know that 
> there is a complex invoice application running.
As I understand it, you can run PHP 5 in PHP 4 compatibility mode, which 
should mean old PHP code continues to run as normal. It's not something 
I've tried myself. The directive is called:

zend.ze1_compatibility_mode

and should be set to 1 in php.ini to turn it on. You might also have a 
look at:

http://www.zend.com/manual/migration5.php.

Elliot

>
> Would it be safe to upgrade to v4.4.4, which is the latest of the 
> 'fours', or would it be wise to make the jump to the 'fives'?
>
> I hold my breath and await your words of wisdom :)
>
> Chris.
>