PHPBrew

What PHPBrew is

PHPBrew builds and manages multiple PHP versions in your home directory, including for users who do not have root permission. It builds PHP from source and groups configure choices into variants, with options such as PDO, MySQL, SQLite, and debug builds. You can temporarily use a version or switch the default, with version switching integrated into bash and zsh. PHPBrew also supports project version pinning and can install extensions from PHP source or PECL, then create configuration to enable them. For web server use, it can compile Apache PHP modules; PHP-FPM management commands are available when PHP is built with the +fpm variant. Its library lookup prefix supports Homebrew, MacPorts, Debian, Ubuntu, or a custom path. PHPBrew is free under the MIT License and is intended for Linux and macOS. Building PHP requires development packages first. The project warns that builds of PHP versions no longer officially supported are not guaranteed, and says issues involving versions older than 5.4 will not be fixed.

Who it suits

PHPBrew suits developers who need to build and switch among PHP versions in their home directory, including without root access. It is for Linux and macOS users comfortable installing development packages before building PHP.

Limits

PHPBrew is free. Building PHP requires development packages, and builds of versions no longer officially supported are not guaranteed; related issues for versions older than 5.4 will not be fixed.

Getting started

1. Visit https://phpbrew.github.io/phpbrew/.
2. Install the development packages needed to build PHP.
3. Install PHPBrew in a Linux or macOS environment.
4. Choose PHP build variants such as PDO, MySQL, SQLite, or debug.
5. Use bash or zsh integration to select a PHP version or change the default.

Verdict

PHPBrew offers source builds, version switching, extensions, and project pinning for users managing PHP locally. Account for development-package prerequisites and the stated limits on older PHP versions.