What version should I upgrade to?

[basil]

I am a newbie to the world on Linux/Apachie, MySQL, PHP etc. and have a general question about upgrading. I have a Virtual Private Server (VPS) with full root access and need to upgrade the version of PHP currently installed. I can have my host do it but they charge $49 so I thought I'd take a stabe at it myself.

I recenlty bought a knowledge base that requires PHP version 4.2.0 or higher, but my VPS only has 4.1.2 installed. I know there are versions starting with 5.X.X out there, but should I upgrade to that high of a version? Here are my system particulars:

Linux with:
Apahce 1.3.27
MySQL 3.23.56
PhP 4.1.2

Should I upgrade to the very latest PHP or something less that that given the versions of Apache and MySQL installed? Also, having never upgraded PHP before I'm assuming the files for it tell how to to the upgrade? Does the new version get installed over top of the existing version. Any insights from those who have gone before would be appreciated.

Basil

[bradgrafelman]

Personally? With those versions, I would suggest updating to PHP 4.4.0, but again, that's just my two cents worth and I don't really have any good reasons why you shouldn't go to PHP5 - I've never used it.

I also want to make you aware that you are saying "upgrade PHP," when I don't believe this is possible. Unless I'm mistaken, you can only uninstall PHP, and then install a new version - there's no "-update" flag to add to the './configure' or anything... again, I could be wrong.

EDIT: Please note that at the time of this post PHP 4.4.0 was the latest 4.x.x version available for download.