My eBay Script PHP5 Requirements

My eBay Script version 1.5 requires PHP version 5.x

Some new customers have noticed that after installation they would get errors or could not log into the admin page. We have found that in most cases this was do to their webhosting provider does not have their account set to use PHP5 by default. Below are some tips to solve this issue.

Switching to PHP 5
To identify the version of PHP your web server is using, create a text file called phpinfo.php with the following code and upload it to the root of your server and run it.

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

The results will provide the version number in the banner at the top of the page.

If it is PHP 5 or better, no further action is required. If it is not, contact your web hosting provider and ask them to provide support for PHP 5.

Web Hosting PHP Switch Examples
This list is intended to show examples of how to swap to PHP5 on various hosts. This is not a complete, nor official list. Please check with your web host for specific and updated information.

• 1&1 Germany (Confirmed for
  
  WebHosting 5.0 package) – To parse all php files in php5, the following
  lines of code have to be added to the root directory’s .htaccess file:

      AddType x-mapp-php5 .php
      AddHandler x-mapp-php5 .php

• Blue Host (Unconfirmed) – Open a ticket with the helpdesk who
  will take you through migration.

• Dream Host (Unconfirmed) – Visit Domains > Manage Domains > Edit
  Domain in your control panel.

• Gradwell – Visit the Control Panel > Hosting > Manage Domains >
  Click on the domain name. Change the zone file to Default hosting on php 5
  cluster. Click update. In “Unix Hosting,” edit the domain and switch to PHP 5.

• GoDaddy – From the Hosting Control Center, select Content >
  Add-On Languages. Select “PHP 5.x” as the version, then click Continue and Update.

• Media Temple – Check the knowledge base for help on upgrading.

• cPanel (checked on PAC WebHosting, but probably applies to all
  cPanel based web hosting services) – On the cPanel main page > Software >
  PHP Configuration. At the top of the PHP configuration page, where it says “The ‘.php’ file extension will be processed by” and select PHP 5 from the dropdown box. Click the “Update” button.

FAQs on Moving to PHP 5

Will I have to redo my whole site over?

No, in most cases there would be no need to change anything on your site.

Can I ask my web host to install PHP 5 or do I have to do it myself?

This will vary from host to host. In some cases, a request via a support ticket will get you an answer from your web host provider. Others will offer the option through your host’s control panel. It is usually a simple
procedure.

What if my web host doesn’t offer PHP 5?

Most responsible host providers have already made the switch. Ask if they have plans to introduce PHP5 support. If they are planning to introduce the support soon, then it shouldn’t be an issue. If they have no such plans, you might want to look around for alternative providers.

Why Switch to PHP 5
In August 2008 PHP 4 became an end-of-life product. This meant that no further effort would be expended in fixing bugs, improving, or patching security holes found in PHP version 4. Development effort moved to PHP 5.

Since then, web hosts have gradually been introducing PHP 5 based offerings into their portfolios. Most decent web hosting providers will now allow PHP 5 hosting – though for some it may not be the default.

Compared to PHP 4, PHP 5 is faster, easier for developers to maintain and code for, and integrates better into web services. Perhaps most importantly, it is also a current, supported, product.