How to install PHP 7.4 in Ubuntu

Step 1: Update Package List
sudo apt update

Step 2: Install PHP 7.4

sudo apt install php7.4

Step 3: Install Additional PHP Modules

Depending on your blog software, you may need additional PHP modules. For common CMS like WordPress, you might need modules like php7.4-mysql:

sudo apt install php7.4-mysql

Step 4: Verify Installation

Check if PHP 7.4 is installed successfully by running:

php -v

This should display the PHP version installed.

Step 5: Configure PHP

Edit the PHP configuration file to suit your blog’s requirements. The main configuration file is usually located at /etc/php/7.4/apache2/php.ini or /etc/php/7.4/nginx/php.ini. Use a text editor like nano or vim to open it:

sudo nano /etc/php/7.4/apache2/php.ini

Make the necessary changes. For example, you might want to adjust memory limits, file upload sizes, etc.

Step 6: Restart Web Server

After making changes to the PHP configuration, restart your web server for the changes to take effect:

For Apache:

sudo service apache2 restart

For Nginx:

sudo service nginx restart

Step 7: Test PHP

Create a test PHP file in your web server’s root directory. For example:

echo “<?php phpinfo(); ?>” | sudo tee /var/www/html/info.php

Visit http://your_server_ip/info.php in your web browser. You should see the PHP information page.

Step 8: Secure Your Installation

It’s essential to keep your system secure. Regularly update PHP and other software packages:

sudo apt upgrade

Additional Notes:
Always check the specific requirements of your blogging platform. Some may require additional PHP extensions.
Be cautious with PHP settings to balance security and functionality.
Consider using a reverse proxy (like Nginx) for added security and performance.