WampServer

When is wamp with php 5.5.X coming? Any expected release date?

I REALLY don't want to migrate to another wamp type platform (love wamp) but the lack of php 5.5 is really hurting, and development of wamp seems to be rather slow as of late.

Hi,

Ask it at : [www.alterway.fr]

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Rather than waiting, if you feel your skills are up to it you could try Doing It Yourself.


HOW TO MANUALLY INSTALL A NEW RELEASE OF PHP INTO THE WAMP ENVIRONMENT

Before you start

On Apache and PHP you will see the acronyms VC6, VC9, VC10 or VC11. This denotes the compiler version used to compile that program or dll.
Unfortunately you cannot mix the two when it comes to Apache and PHP as it is configured in WAMPServer, although some docuentation suggestst that VC10 and VC11 are compatible with each other, I make no guarantee of this.
So first you must find out which compiler was used to compile the Apache you are currently using, so you can get the PHP that was compiled with the same version of the compiler.
As time goes on this becomes more complicated as newer versions of PHP are not being compiled and linked with older versions of the compilers. VC6 seems to have been dropped a little while ago. So if you want to use a new PHP you will probably have to upgrade your version of Apache as well so you have a version that is compiled with at least VC9



The way PHP and Apache interact in the default WAMPServer install is that Apache launches the PHP Interpereter as a dll (php5apachex_y.dll) as this is a very close relationship i.e. not communication via a TCP port like PHP and MySQL, so they both have to have been compiled using the same version of Microsoft Visual C Compiler.


1. From WampManager "Stop All Services".

2. Download the PHP Release you want to install from www.php.net/download or if its not a current release try 'http://windows.php.net/downloads/releases/archives'
You should use the Thread Safe build. Usually the Not Thread Safe version has the acronim NTS and the thread safe version does not.
You should download the ZIP and not an .msi
Make sure its built with the same compiler versions as you Apache ( VC6 / VC9 / VC10 / VC11 ), you its a mine field.

3. Create a new folder under c:\wamp\bin\php\ with the name = the version you are installing
So, for example, make a folder called php5.5.11.



4. Now from the folder containing your most recent ( and working ) verions of PHP copy the file called wampserver.conf and paste it into your new PHP folder created in the previous setp.
This file is required by wamp server to properly identify that this is a valid PHP version folder.
The file contains references to the names of the dll files that contain the PHP interpreter, so that the correct file can be copied to the Apache folder when you activate this new version of the PHP interpreter.

The file should look like this, if you are moving from a very old version of PHP you may need to add some new sections from here to your file.

<?php

$phpConf['phpIniDir'] = '.';
$phpConf['phpExeDir'] = '.';
$phpConf['phpConfFile'] = 'php.ini';


$phpConf['apache']['2.2']['LoadModuleName'] = 'php5_module';
$phpConf['apache']['2.2']['LoadModuleFile'] = 'php5apache2_2.dll';
$phpConf['apache']['2.2']['AddModule'] =  '';

$phpConf['apache']['2.4']['LoadModuleName'] = 'php5_module';
$phpConf['apache']['2.4']['LoadModuleFile'] = 'php5apache2_4.dll';
$phpConf['apache']['2.4']['AddModule'] =  '';

?>

5. Now unzip the downloaded PHP into your new folder, make sure the folder hierarchy looks like this.





6. Now in your new folder copy the file php.ini_development into a new file called php.ini




Do the same again but paste into a file called phpForApache.ini
You should now have the original file called php.ini_development PLUS 2 more, one called php.ini and one called phpForApache.ini

The php.ini file is used if you are using the PHP CLI i.e. running php from the command line > php script.php
The phpForApache.ini is the php config used by Apache. This file is copied into the currently active Apache's folder and renamed to php.ini by WAMPmaneger when you activate this version of PHP.

It should look something like this:




7. We must now make some change to the php.ini files to WAMPise them. Take your time here it will save you time later.

Edit the newly created phpForApache.ini file

Search for extension_dir and change to
extension_dir = "d:/wamp/bin/php/phpx.y.z/ext/" <- where x,y,z match the folder you are putting the new PHP into.

Search for ;error_log = php_errors.log and change to
error_log = c:\wamp\logs\php_errors.log
Search for anything 'php/' and make sure you change it to you c:\wamp\bin\php\php.x.y.z folder name.

In fact search for anything with a C:\ in it and make sure its chnaged to the WAMPServer equivalent.

As of PHP5.4 the timezone need to be set
Search for [Date] and put an entry into the date.timezone field as a minimum

date.timezone = "Europe/London"
date.default_latitude = 0.0
date.default_longitude = 51.502973

look here for a list of supported timezone values [www.php.net]

PHP5.5 specific changes
a. All the PHP extensions are commented out, so you need to manually uncomment at least some of them
Check your last used php.ini to see what you need, remember some extensions may have been included in the core of php so you may need to check the php change log for details.


Now there may well be other configuration changes you had made to your existing PHP, these you will have to find and transfer yourself.
I suggest you compare your last \wamp\bin\apache\apachex.y.z\bin\php.ini with this new one and move over anything you believe is relevant.

DONT FORGET, if you are using the PHP CLI you will also need to do this to the php.ini file as well.

8. Make sure all services are stopped in wampmanager, and then right click over the wamp manager icon in the system tray and select the 'refresh' menu item.
When you left click on wamp manager -> PHP -> Version you should see your new version in the list.

If the new version does not appear, then you have probably spelt the phpForApache.ini file name wrong. Correct it and redo the 'refresh'.

9. You can now 'restart all services' from the wamp manager menus.

NOTE: You have not actually changed anything yet, so if wamp,Apache,PHP etc were working before they still should be.

10. Activate your new PHP version.
Using the wamp manager menus again you just need to click on the new version number to activate it.
wamp manager -> PHP -> Version -> 5.5.11 ( <- or whatever the version number is you have just added )

This will cause wamp manager to stop Apache ( the icon will go Orange )
Copy the correct files from the PHP folder to the Apache folder
php5apachex_y.dll, the php interpreter dll used by Apache
phpForApache.ini the php config file
etc

And then restart Apache. So the wamp manager icon should go GREEN again.

If the wamp manager icon stays ORANGE, then you have missed something, probably a file name spelt wrong. The phpForApache.ini file must exists.

11. Now run localhost from the wamp manager menu, and check the wamp server home page. It should tell you which version of PHP is loaded.





TROUBLE SHOOTING
If it all goes wrong when you activate the new PHP, you can easily back out of trouble by just activating whatever version of PHP you were using before, and then going back to see what you did wrong.


ADDING IONCUBE

Ioncube for PHP5.5 is not yet released as of 13/09/2013, they say they are waiting for PHP 5.5 to become stable and secure and hosting providers to adopt PHP 5.5 before they release their upgrade. They comment that it can take a year or more for hosting companies to adopt new versions of PHP and this I guess is their schedule.


You must ensure that you download the correct version to match your PHP :-
compiler( VC6/VC9 etc ) compiled ionCube dll
correct 32 or 64 bit code
and the Thread Safe version which is the one that is not NON-TS


1. Download the correct ionCube loader from [www.ioncube.com]
2. Place it somewhere on your disk, but not in the WAMP folder.
for example c:\webstuff\ioncube\vc9\
2. Edit the new php.ini Using the wamp manager menus
Add these 2 lines at the bottom of the file.
Remeber the version you load will depend upon which MAJOR version of PHP you are using i.e. 5.2,5.3 or 5.4

NOTE on IONCUBE and PHP5.5
Ioncube for PHP5.5 is not yet released as of 13/09/2013, they say they are waiting for PHP 5.5 to become stable and secure and hosting providers to adopt PHP 5.5 before they release their upgrade. They comment that it can take a year or more for hosting companies to adopt new versions of PHP and this I guess is their schedule.

;ioncube Extension
zend_extension = "c:/webstuff/ioncube/vc9/ioncube_loader_win_5.3.dll"

ADDING XDEBUG
XDEBUG comes with WAMP Server and is incredibly useful for debugging CLI or WEB scripts.
But it does not come with the PHP you have downloaded from the PHP website.
When upgrading PHP to a major version release you may need to get an up to date version of xdebug from

http://xdebug.org/download.php

For a minor version upgrade you can probably use the existing xdebug version you already have on disk.

So for a minor PHP version upgrade, copy the folder c:\wamp\bin\php\php5.y.z\zend_ext from your old PHP to your new php folder.
For a major PHP version upgrade get a new dll from the xdebug website and put it in a newly created folder called c:\wamp\bin\php\php5.y.z\zend_ext

Now add a line like this ( version specific of course ) to your php.ini ( using the wamp manager menus, to ensure you are editing the correct file )

;XDEBUG Extension
zend_extension = "d:/wamp/bin/php/phpx.y.z/zend_ext/php_xdebug-2.2.2-5.3-vc9.dll"

[xdebug]
xdebug.remote_enable = off
xdebug.profiler_enable = off
xdebug.profiler_enable_trigger = off
xdebug.profiler_output_name = cachegrind.out.%t.%p
xdebug.profiler_output_dir = "d:/wamp/tmp"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Windows 10 Pro 64bit) (Wampserver 3.3.4 64bit) Aestan Tray Menu 3.2.5.4
<Apache versions MULTIPE> <PHP versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Versions MULTIPLE>
<MariaDB versions MULTIPLE> <phpMyAdmin versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Workbench 8.0.23>
Read The Manuals Apache -- MySQL -- PHP -- phpMyAdmin
Get your Apache/MySQL/mariaDB/PHP ADDONs here from the WAMPServer alternate Repo
-X-X-X- Backup your databases regularly Here is How dont regret it later! Yes even when developing -X-X-X-

Thanks for that. Very Helpful.

Actually, I am going to have to install a new Apache version as well to match compilers, I guess. Is there a guide available for that as well?

Yes I have one of those to.



HowTo: Install a new version of APACHE into WAMP yourself.


This is not intended to replace the wamp addons mechanism of downloading apache version. If the version you require is available as an addon, use that mechanism, its just so easy.


This tutorial is not really for the absolute beginner. It would help if you had a basic knowledge of how apache/php work together and seperately and their individual configuration, as well as an understanding of what wamp is and does for you.


Read all this document before starting any actual attempt to install an apache version.


This guide assumes you are installing a minor version of an apache you already have installed i.e. apache 2.2.x to apache2.2.y.
I will use the versions 2.2.22 and 2.2.23, the tutorial uses these folder names but of course you will probably be installing different versions.

So here is the process:

1. Download the ZIP version of the Apache you want to run ( not the msi installer, only because I dont know what it may do or assume when it installs )
Suggestion only
[www.apachelounge.com]

2. From wamp manager, Stop all services.

3. Go to c:\wamp\bin\apache\ and create a new folder named appropriately for the release you are installing i.e apache.2.2.23

4. Unzip the Apache downloaded and copy the contents of the unzipped apache folder into your newly created folder in the wamp folder structure. apache2.2.23 in this example.
Make sure the directory levels are the same as your existing apache folder i.e. all the folders get unzipped into a folder called something like apache2, just copy all the subfolders to your new folder wamp\bin\apache\apache.2.2.23 folder. I suggest you unzip it somewhere else and then copy that to the wamp folder.

5. Copy c:\wamp\bin\apache\apache2.2.22\wampserver.conf to c:\wamp\bin\apache\apache2.2.23\wampserver.conf
All the folders in here are relative to where this file lives, so normally nothing need changing in here.
Wamp will not see your new install properly if you forget this step.

6. Now you need to bring your existing httpd.conf file from your current instance of apache.

Be carefull here, things change in the httpd.conf file, parameters get deprecated, new ones get created etc. So use the new httpd.conf as the master and only move over parameters you know you have changed for your actual requirements.

First make a backup of the new wamp\bin\apache\apache2.2.23\httpd.conf as wamp\bin\apache\apache2.2.23\httpd.original.conf ( for example )


Now this new httpd.conf file assumes the location of Apache is the default i.e. c:\apache\....
So there are parameter in YOUR NEW httpd.conf file that MUST BE CHECKED against your old WAMP oriented one
Some but maybe not all are listed here:-

Listen
ServerRoot
ServerAdmin
ServerName
DocumentRoot
<Directory....> Check all the directory parameters match the wamp file structure
ErrorLog
CustomLog
LoadModule
AddType
MimeType
DirectoryIndex Add index.php to this list


Now we must configure apache to use the correct version of PHP.
'LoadModule'
Wamp default is to runs PHP as an apache handler, that means apache loads the PHP interpreter as an apache module. ( see below )
Remember the Apache conf does not assume you are a PHP user so you will have to add this to the new conf file rather than change it.
So you must also check you are loading the correct handler for the version of apache and PHP you want to use.
The PHP folder should contain 1 or more of these handlers ( dll's ) depending on which versions of php it has been compiled for ( not all php version will run with all apache's ).
You must load the correct dll to match the apache version and the php version you want to use.


Ok I am afraid we need a bit of Techy Stuff here.
When PHP is compiled, by cleverer people than us! It is actually compiled more than once for various situations.
If you look in the php/phpx.y.z folder you will see a php.exe, php-win.exe, php-cgi.exe, all of which are irrelivant in the context of this document.

You will also see one or more dll files with names like php5apache2.dll, php5apache2_2.dll, php5apache2_4.dll, again depending on which apache you have download.
These are the php interpreter compiled into a dll for use as an apache handler.
The version of apache that this php is comiled to run with, is denoted by the apache2 (apache 2.0 or 2.1) or apache2_2 (apache 2.2 or 2.3) or apache2_4 ( apache 2.4 ) part of the filename.
The php5 part denotes it is a version of php5 ( but does not tell you which version of php5 ).
The version of php is denoted by the fact that you downloaded php5.3.13 and have luckily loaded it into a folder called php5.3.13 so you know whats what.


If you are using PHP 5.4 with an apache 2.4.x instance:
LoadModule php5_module "d:/wamp/bin/php/php5.4.x/php5apache2_4.dll" for using PHP 5.4

If you are using PHP 5.2 or PHP 5.3 with an apache 2.2.x instance:
LoadModule php5_module "d:/wamp/bin/php/php5.2.x/php5apache2_2.dll"

If you want to use PHP with an apache 2.0.x or 2.1.x instance:
LoadModule php5_module "d:/wamp/bin/php/php5.1.x/php5apache2.dll" for using PHP

NOTE:
This parameter is in the httpd.conf but is loading a file from a PHP folder.

If the php version folder does not contain a handler that matches apache version you want to run then that version of php wont run with that version of apache or your php download has not been compiled for that version of apache, normally the former.

Armed with this information you should be able to find the correct handler for the version of apache and php that you want to run together.


7. If you are using Virtual Servers you will also need to copy the conf\extras\httpd-vhosts.conf file from your old Apache version folder to your new folder.

8. We should be nearly done, so
Right click wampmanager -> refresh

This will tell wamp manager to re-configure itself and go look for anything new in its folder structure i.e. your new apache.
Check it has worked by: left click wampmanager -> Apache -> Versions, you should see your new one appear in the list.

8. Now Left click wamp manager -> Apache -> Versions -> and click your new version numbers to activate the new version of Apache.
This will restart apache and run your new version.

If apache fails to start ( wamp manager stays orange ) either you or I have missed a step. I hope its you!


TROUBLE SHOOTING
If you make a mistake check the apache error log for clues, or the windows event viewer, apache writes errors to this as well as its error log.

If all else fails, delete the new apache.x.y.z folder and re run the Right click on wamp manager -> Refresh and it will re configure itself without your new apache and you can start again.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Windows 10 Pro 64bit) (Wampserver 3.3.4 64bit) Aestan Tray Menu 3.2.5.4
<Apache versions MULTIPE> <PHP versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Versions MULTIPLE>
<MariaDB versions MULTIPLE> <phpMyAdmin versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Workbench 8.0.23>
Read The Manuals Apache -- MySQL -- PHP -- phpMyAdmin
Get your Apache/MySQL/mariaDB/PHP ADDONs here from the WAMPServer alternate Repo
-X-X-X- Backup your databases regularly Here is How dont regret it later! Yes even when developing -X-X-X-

Ran into trouble. I try to run the new version of apache and it says my php version is not compatible. but it is pointing to my old 5.3.x version of php (the cmd window's title says so). How can I fix this?

Try switching your PHP version as well.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Windows 10 Pro 64bit) (Wampserver 3.3.4 64bit) Aestan Tray Menu 3.2.5.4
<Apache versions MULTIPE> <PHP versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Versions MULTIPLE>
<MariaDB versions MULTIPLE> <phpMyAdmin versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Workbench 8.0.23>
Read The Manuals Apache -- MySQL -- PHP -- phpMyAdmin
Get your Apache/MySQL/mariaDB/PHP ADDONs here from the WAMPServer alternate Repo
-X-X-X- Backup your databases regularly Here is How dont regret it later! Yes even when developing -X-X-X-

I did, same thing.

I think I am missing a configuration option somewhere to make apache point to the right php version?

Here are the various references to any path in the phpForApache.ini, exactly as the line are on appears:

include_path = "C:\wamp\bin\php\php5.5.8"

; extension_dir = "C:\wamp\bin\php\php5.5.8\ext"

opcache.error_log=c:\wamp\logs\php_errors.log

here is every reference to c:\, exactly as it appears on its line, in httpd.conf:

ServerRoot "C:\wamp\bin\apache\Apache2.4.7"

LoadModule php5_module "c:\wamp\bin\php\php5.5.8\php5apache2_4.dll"

DocumentRoot "c:/wamp/www/"

DocumentRoot "c:/wamp/www/"

<Directory "c:/wamp/www/">

ErrorLog "c:/wamp/logs/apache_error.log"

CustomLog "c:/wamp/logs/access.log" common

Include "c:/wamp/alias/*"



I should not that my other php version is 5.3, and apache is 2.2, which work together, but both will not work with php 5.5 and apache 2.4.7, which I am trying to get working, because they were compiled differently.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2014 11:04AM by wampwamp.

What exact versions of Apache and PHP do you actually want to be able to use together i.e the complete 3 level version numbers Apachex.y.z and PHPx.y.z?

I think you are going to have to install some intermediate versions of Apache and PHP so you can cleanly move up and down the versions of each.

The problem is that both the Apache and PHP community have been changing the versions of the C++ compiler they use, over the last few years they have moved from VC6 through VC2008, VC2010 and VC2012 and therefore not all versions of everything work together anymore. Thats not under the control of the WAMP people.

The nack is to get enought versions of Apache and PHP installed so you can sort of slide from your 2 desired combinations of Apache and PHP via other versions of both that will actually work together. Or at least thats the mechanism I use.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Windows 10 Pro 64bit) (Wampserver 3.3.4 64bit) Aestan Tray Menu 3.2.5.4
<Apache versions MULTIPE> <PHP versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Versions MULTIPLE>
<MariaDB versions MULTIPLE> <phpMyAdmin versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Workbench 8.0.23>
Read The Manuals Apache -- MySQL -- PHP -- phpMyAdmin
Get your Apache/MySQL/mariaDB/PHP ADDONs here from the WAMPServer alternate Repo
-X-X-X- Backup your databases regularly Here is How dont regret it later! Yes even when developing -X-X-X-

I am trying to use:

PHP 5.5.8 (VC11 x86 Thread Safe (2014-Jan-09 18:16:03) from [windows.php.net]

Apache 2.4.7 (Apache 2.4.7 Win32 VC11 from [www.apachelounge.com])

PHP 5.5 is only released as as VC11, as is Apache 2.4.7 as far as I can tell. I don't know if it is possible to slide up and down?

For what it's worth, I have a red and white warning triangle icon by my apache 2.4.7 installation on the wamp>apache>versions menu.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2014 02:41PM by wampwamp.

Sorry I am assuming from the previous conversation you have 2 versions of Apache and 2 versions of PHP installed in WAMP.

What 2 versions of Apache ?
What 2 versions of PHP ?

By sliding up and down I mean you switch to intermediary versions that actually work together in order to get from the actual version you have running to the version you want to run.

These are the version I have installed

Apache



PHP



The No entry icons indicate that those versions of PHP with a no entry sign will not run with this version of Apache.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Windows 10 Pro 64bit) (Wampserver 3.3.4 64bit) Aestan Tray Menu 3.2.5.4
<Apache versions MULTIPE> <PHP versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Versions MULTIPLE>
<MariaDB versions MULTIPLE> <phpMyAdmin versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Workbench 8.0.23>
Read The Manuals Apache -- MySQL -- PHP -- phpMyAdmin
Get your Apache/MySQL/mariaDB/PHP ADDONs here from the WAMPServer alternate Repo
-X-X-X- Backup your databases regularly Here is How dont regret it later! Yes even when developing -X-X-X-



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2014 05:38PM by RiggsFolly.

I have currently installed and working:


Apache 2.2.11 and PHP 5.3.8

I want to upgrade to:

Apache 2.4.7 and PHP 5.5.8

I am not sure how I can slide from one to another in principle because there seems to be a compiler mismatch eventually - at some point apache will only be VC11, and PHP will only be VC11. My understanding was that a program compiled with VC11 can't work with one compiled with VC9 or below, so is there a compiler gap here I can't slide across? I don't know which versions would let me slide successfully.

You can download an apache compiled with VC11 from www.apachelounge.com. PHP 5.5.x compiled with VC11 is available on windows.php.net. Mode and more extensions can be found on the Internet compiled with VC11. It should work togehter.

On my site only XCache and WinCache are ready to test under PHP 5.5.x. For now.

regards
tk1
[dev.freshsite.pl]

Hi tomkrawl,

Both my Apache 2.4.7 and PHP 5.5.8 are compiled with VC11 already. My Apache 2.2.11 and PHP 5.3.8 are complied with something less (VC9?). The problem is I cannot switch from apache 2.2.11 to apache 2.4.7 because it wont work with php 5.3.8 (which is vc9 I think), and apache 2.4.7 is giving me the error I mentioned in a previous post about php 5.3.8 being incompatible. (I cant get it to use php 5.5.8) I am not sure how to slide form one to another, either, as Riggsfolly suggested.

Which versions do apache and php can I use to slide with, if any?

Hi wampwamp,

I am working on a document, please bear with me,

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Windows 10 Pro 64bit) (Wampserver 3.3.4 64bit) Aestan Tray Menu 3.2.5.4
<Apache versions MULTIPE> <PHP versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Versions MULTIPLE>
<MariaDB versions MULTIPLE> <phpMyAdmin versions MULTIPLE> <MySQL Workbench 8.0.23>
Read The Manuals Apache -- MySQL -- PHP -- phpMyAdmin
Get your Apache/MySQL/mariaDB/PHP ADDONs here from the WAMPServer alternate Repo
-X-X-X- Backup your databases regularly Here is How dont regret it later! Yes even when developing -X-X-X-

Thank you RiggsFolly. I look forward to reading your document.