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PHP is the scripting language that powers most web applications running on Bearsampp. Bearsampp ships with multiple PHP versions that you can install side by side and switch between instantly. It also gives you a tray-based interface for toggling extensions and common php.ini settings so you can match the environment your project requires.

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Multiple PHP versions

You can have several PHP versions installed at the same time. Only one version is active at a given moment, and it is shared by Apache. Switch versions without restarting your machine:
1

Open the PHP versions menu

Right-click the tray icon → PHP → Versions.
2

Select the version you need

Click a version number. Bearsampp stops Apache, switches the active PHP version, updates all configuration links, and restarts Apache automatically.
Not every PHP version is compatible with every Apache version. Bearsampp will warn you if there is a known incompatibility between the PHP and Apache versions you have selected.

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Configuration file

Each PHP version has its own php.ini file located at:
Replace phpX.X.X with the version you are using (for example, php8.3.0). You can open this file directly from the tray menu.

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Tray menu reference

Right-click the tray icon → PHP to access:

Edit php.ini

Open the active php.ini in your default text editor.

Versions

Switch to a different installed PHP version.

Extensions

Enable or disable individual PHP extensions.

Settings

Toggle common php.ini directives without editing the file manually.

Logs

Open the PHP error log to see runtime errors and warnings.

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Managing extensions

PHP extensions add capabilities to the language — database drivers, image processing, cryptography, and more. Bearsampp lets you toggle them without editing php.ini by hand.
1

Open the extensions menu

Right-click the tray icon → PHP → Extensions.
2

Toggle an extension

Click an extension name to enable or disable it. Bearsampp adds or removes the extension= line in php.ini and restarts Apache.
Enabling an extension only works if the corresponding .dll file exists in bin/php/phpX.X.X/ext/. If you do not see an extension listed, the DLL is not bundled with that PHP version.

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Adjusting PHP settings

Common php.ini directives — such as display_errors, short_open_tag, file_uploads, and session settings — can be toggled through the tray menu: Right-click the tray icon → PHP → Settings → click a setting to flip it on or off. For settings that are not exposed in the tray menu, open php.ini directly (PHP → Edit php.ini), make your changes, and save. Then restart Apache for the changes to take effect.

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PEAR

PHP Extension and Application Repository (PEAR) is bundled with each PHP version in Bearsampp. The pear executable is located alongside the PHP binary in bin/php/phpX.X.X/. You can run PEAR commands from the PHP or Git console.

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Accessing PHP logs

PHP errors are written to a dedicated log file. To open it: Right-click the tray icon → PHP → Logs. You can also tail the log file directly. It is stored in the Bearsampp logs/ folder as php_error.log.

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