Joomla User Manual

Notes¶

To determine which method your web server is using to handle php files use the *Administrator / System / System Information links and select the PHP Information tab. Search the page for Server API. The common ways for an Apache web server to handle PHP files include the following:

DSO (mod_php)¶

• Advantage: one of the fastest handlers available.
• Disadvantage: only works with a single version of PHP; files saved by php scripts are owned by the Apache user except when used in conjunction with mod_ruid2.
• To recognise: Server API - Apache 2.0 Handler

CGI/FastCGI¶

• Advantage: scripts run as the domain or subdomain user, very fast handler.
• Disadvantage: slower than mod_php, cannot put PHP configuration changes in an .htaccess file.
• To Recognise: Server API - CGI/FastCGI

FPM/FastCGI¶

• Advantage: very fast, additional level of flexibility.
• Disadvantage: uses more memory than most of the others, cannot put PHP configuration changes in an .htaccess file.
• To Recognise: Server API - FPM/FastCGI

LSAPI (mod_lsapi)¶

• Advantages:
  • Provides support for caching.
  • It is the most performant handler with a low memory footprint.
  • No configuration is required.
  • It can work with multiple PHP versions in a single setup.
  • It supports PHP configuration directives through .htaccess files.
  • Secure because scripts execute as the domain owner.
• Disadvantages:
  • It does not make available all LSAPI capabilities.
• To Recognise: Server API - ?

On a local laptop or desktop computer you can use mod_php but you may need to set the Apache user to your own username and point the document root to a location in your own file space. Otherwise you will have file and folder permissions problems.

On a hosting service you need to use one of the FastCGI alternatives or LSAPI. Hosting services may give you a choice.