If one doesn't compile gd with php...

Anon

they can still use gd/php scripts
just as long as php.ini
"extensions_dir" points to the .so file
and I save php.ini and restart apaceh, right?

Or am I not grasping how to load extensions dynamically? I simply do not see much on this topic with the manual or elsewhere, I just want to grasp the seldomely mentioned alternative to recompiling php with this (or future) libraries

Just looking for a straight answer so I know for the future. Would this method allow me to use gd(or any library) without compiling php with it?

Thanks, guys

Anon

what do you mean?

Anon

What I mean is this

I have gd installed

It is not compiled with php
I heard it was possible to load modules dynamically without compiling php with that library so in essence, I am asking how can I run gd, using php.ini

There is a part that says
"extensions_dir="

and under it, it says you can load modules by listen them, such as
extension=module.so

so, I am asking if this is the way to load gd module without compiling php with it, by pointing that 'extensions_dir' in php.ini to the foldre with my libgd.so file, and saving php.ini and restarting apache?

Man, I have always wondered for weeks how to do this but can't find out confirmation, does anybody know if this works or not?

nashirak

Joel yes... in your php.ini directory you dont have to recompile everything. Just make sure you set your directory and at the end of your php.ini file you say:

extension=gd.so

And abviously make sure that you have the libgd library installed. (Not the php module but the actual gd libraries). Of course if you are using Debian or something you can just

apt-get install php4-gd

But thats not a shamless plug for and OS. ;-)

Hope this Helps!

Anon

You say use
extension=gd.so in the end of php.ini

but there is a section a bit further under php.ini that says to list it there, I guess I can place it there, and it should work fine

The point is, as long as extensions_dir points to the actual .so file, a restart of apache allows my php script to work with that library just like recompiling

I am not missing any steps?
:/

Thanks for your help

BY the way, what is the performance difference between this method and recompiling php with the library?

nashirak

You dont necessarily have to set the path directory as long as you put it in the default directory. You arent missing any steps. (That I can think of). As for what are the the preformance issues? If you mean speed... if you are that concerened with speed you shouldnt be programing your page in PHP. If you want raw data and stuff, I am not shure... it might use up slightly more memory but thats all I can think of.

Hope that Helps!

Anon

Yeah, my gd library isn't in the default directory

But if I copy my libdg.so to the dir where php.ini is, I just write
extension=gd.so (Or whatever it is)
and that's it?

So why is this not talked about more as a solution when most are unahppy about having to recompile or have comiling issues ?

oh, per my speed q, I meant this:

"What is the performance difference using my php.ini method and the more popular --with-gd recompile method"

Thanks, I am hoping it's just this simple, seems too good to be true lol

I shall try it

Heck, I can also copy ming.so to that directory and make sure extensions_Dir points to it and that's it I guess

Anon

god, I am so tired
and more importantly, thanks for your time
nobody else I recall really was able to answer this, I've asked a long time it's just not really something I see as a solution, but it like something that would help a lot of people. Esp. those who don't want to recompile for every new library they enjoy and install

nashirak

Unforunatly when ppl think Unix and think stuff like this... there first reaction (because of some ole' wise tale 🙂 ) is "Dang I need to recompile". Not true. I run Linux at home (Note to all Windows users I am not putting you down and not showing my Linux "suppirority", I dont want to get into another which OS is better discussion ;-) ). I have rarely had to recompile anything. If you have a program, there are most likely modules for it. Recompiling should be the last thing you ever think about. That is my last solution to anything. Now in special cases you might have to, but in general modules are great! Note to Slackware users... none of this applies to you. :-D

Have fun with GD!

Anon

And ming

Heck, I will just put all of these .so files in one directory and have it point (the extensions_dir) and have fun

Thank you for answering my annoying q's, I've waited so long to learn how to do this without fail/risk, I can't wait to do this

I just didn't want to f up somwhow, and it seemed too good to be true, to just point to the .so files and get started

Man, this feature needs to be discussed more. Or method, for that matter

Great job and thaks for ALL of your time, it really is appreciated.

Anon

The standard gd library that comes with FreeBSD-4.5 is gd1.8.x I would like to use gd2.0.x Can this be accomplished like explained in this thread?
Also, where does php.ini live on a FreeBSD system. I have only found /usr/local/etc/php.ini-dist
Tnx from Kjell

nashirak

Yes. You will have to download the gd2.0 libraries of course and then install the gd2 module instead of just the normal gd. I am not too familiar with BSD but I did some searching, looks like php.ini lives in:

/usr/local/lib/php.ini

When in doubt google it 🙂.

I tried to find the package in question.. I am sure you can find it but a quick search, it seams Debian is the only one that has a package for it right now... (Although I would think that other have em too 🙂 )

Hope this Helps!

Anon

Thanks for your help

I'll just put the 2 modules in another dir and point to it and let all future modules go there

I wonder why most php sites don't discuss this option

I presume there is no risk/interuption to php service by doing this, wow, it seems perfect

Thanks again, you might be the only person I know that was able to answer this question