Key highlights
- Learn how to install PECL across common environments and connect it seamlessly with your existing PHP setup.
- Understand how PECL simplifies managing PHP extensions compared to manual compilation.
- Explore practical commands to install, update, enable and remove PHP packages with confidence.
- Know how to troubleshoot common PECL installation errors and dependency issues efficiently.
- Uncover best practices for keeping PHP extensions secure, compatible and performance-ready over time.
Looking to supercharge your PHP development? PECL (PHP Extension Community Library) is your go-to repository for powerful PHP extensions that take your projects beyond core functionality. This comprehensive resource houses hundreds of specialized packages designed to enhance PHP’s capabilities, giving you the tools you need to build more robust applications.
Discovering what’s available is straightforward. Simply use the pecl list command to view installed packages or browse the official PECL website to explore the full catalog. Need something specific like Redis integration or AMQP support? The pecl search function makes finding extensions like php pecl redis or amqp pecl incredibly easy.
Ready to learn how to install PECL packages? The process is simpler than you might think. For most distributions, the pecl install command handles everything smoothly. However, if you’re working with Ubuntu or Debian systems, you may need to install PECL itself first and complete additional configuration steps. Pro tip: always specify the exact version using pecl install package-name-version when compatibility matters for your project. Let’s dive into the details!
What is PECL?
PECL (PHP Extension Community Library) is the official repository for PHP extensions that extends your PHP installation with additional functionality.
Think of PECL as a centralized library where developers share compiled extensions that add capabilities like image processing, caching or database connectivity to your PHP environment.
When people refer to “PECL,” they might mean the project itself (the repository and tooling system) or individual “PECL packages” (the actual extensions you install). You interact with PECL through the pecl command-line tool, which helps you search, download and install these extensions.
Unlike regular PHP libraries, PECL extensions are compiled code that becomes part of your PHP installation, offering performance benefits and access to system-level features that standard PHP code cannot provide.
What is PHP PECL packages?
PHP PECL packages are extensions that add functionality beyond PHP’s core features. PECL (PHP Extension Community Library) serves as a central repository where developers can find, download and install these extensions.
When you need to extend your PHP installation with specialized capabilities such as advanced caching, image processing or database connectivity, PECL packages provide pre-built solutions.
These packages are maintained by the PHP community and offer a standardized way to enhance your server’s PHP capabilities without modifying the core PHP installation.
PECL package pages and what they show?
You can find individual PECL package pages by browsing the official PECL website at pecl.php.net or by searching directly for a specific package name. Each package page displays essential information you need to make informed installation decisions, including the package’s purpose, current stable release version and supported PHP versions.
Before installing any extension, check that your server’s PHP version appears in the compatibility list and review the package’s dependencies to ensure your system meets all requirements.
Pay close attention to the changelog and installation notes sections, as these often contain critical configuration details like required ini directives and build dependencies.
When choosing between releases, prioritize stable versions over beta or alpha releases for production environments, as stable releases offer better reliability and support.
The package page also shows build requirements and any special compilation flags needed, helping you determine whether you can successfully install the extension on your hosting environment before attempting the installation process.
Different types of PHP packages
When working with PHP, you’ll encounter different types of add-ons that extend your server’s capabilities. Understanding these categories helps you make informed decisions about what to install and how each type affects your development environment.
The two primary categories are extensions and libraries. PECL packages are compiled extensions written in C that integrate directly into PHP’s core, offering superior performance for tasks like caching, image processing or database connectivity.
These extensions require compilation and server-level installation, making them ideal when you need maximum speed and have administrative access to your hosting environment.
In contrast, PEAR packages are PHP libraries consisting of userland code that you can install and distribute more easily across different hosting environments. While PEAR packages may not match the raw performance of compiled extensions, they offer greater portability and don’t require special compilation tools or server privileges.
Your choice depends on key factors: performance requirements (extensions win), portability needs (libraries are more flexible), server access level (shared hosting may limit extension installation) and PHP version compatibility (extensions need specific PHP versions). Consider these factors as you explore the viewing and installation methods outlined in the following sections.
1. PECL modules
PECL modules are compiled PHP extensions that add powerful functionality to your PHP environment beyond what’s included in the core installation. These modules enable advanced capabilities like enhanced performance optimization, caching systems, image processing tools and networking protocols.
Unlike regular PHP libraries, PECL modules are written in C and compiled into binary files (.so files) that integrate directly with PHP for superior speed and efficiency.
Your web host loads these modules through the php.ini configuration file, which means both your hosting environment and PHP version play crucial roles in compatibility. Not all hosts support custom PECL installations and modules built for one PHP version may not work with another.
Before installing any PECL module, you’ll want to verify your hosting provider’s policies and ensure the module matches your server’s PHP version and architecture.
2. PEAR modules
PEAR modules are PHP libraries and packages written in userland PHP code, making them fundamentally different from PECL modules which are compiled extensions. Unlike PECL’s compiled C extensions that require compilation and system-level installation, PEAR packages consist of regular PHP files that can be easily distributed and installed across different hosting environments without special compilation requirements.
When choosing between PEAR-style packages and PECL modules, consider your priorities: PEAR packages offer superior portability and compatibility across different PHP installations and hosting providers, while PECL modules deliver better performance and access to native system capabilities.
If you’re working in shared hosting environments or need maximum compatibility, PEAR-style solutions provide the flexibility to run anywhere PHP runs. However, for performance-critical applications requiring native functionality, PECL extensions offer the speed and system-level access that userland PHP code cannot match.
3. C extensions
C extensions are compiled programs written in the C programming language that extend PHP’s core functionality beyond what pure PHP code can achieve. These extensions provide significant performance improvements and access to system-level libraries, making them ideal for tasks requiring speed, memory efficiency or integration with native system capabilities like advanced image processing, encryption or database connectivity.
Installing C extensions requires compilation tools on your server, including development packages, phpize (for preparing the build environment) and php-config (for configuration details).
If you’re on shared hosting with limited server access, you may need to compile extensions locally on a matching environment before uploading the compiled files. This compilation requirement makes C extensions more complex to install than standard PHP libraries, but the performance benefits often justify the additional setup effort for resource-intensive applications.
How to install PECL packages?
Installing PECL packages on your hosting account requires SSH access to execute the necessary commands. Once you have SSH enabled, you can download and install PECL extensions directly through the command line.
If SSH access isn’t currently enabled on your account, you’ll need to activate it first. For detailed instructions on enabling SSH, refer to our SSH Access guide.
Note: Instances of “ea-php73” in the following commands can be replaced by other versions of PHP on the server.
Once you’re logged in, these are the steps for installation:
- Create a folder in your home directory to download and compile the packages.
mkdir ~/pecl - Create a directory for your PHP extensions to be located in. Something like ~/php/extensions.
$ mkdir ~/php )$ mkdir ~/php/extensions - Change directories to that created PECL directory and run the following command:
c$ cd ~/pecl
$ /opt/cpanel/ea-php73/root/usr/bin/pecl download For multiple PECL packages, repeat steps 4-9 and then step 12. - That will download the package, which you’ll then need to untar with:
tar –zxvf $package.tgz - Change directories to the extracted directory and run the phpize command:
$ cd ~/pecl/$ /opt/cpanel/ea-php73/root/usr/bin/phpize - Once done, run the following command from inside the module folder:
/opt/cpanel/ea-php73/root/usr/bin/phpize && ./configure --with-php-config=/opt/cpanel/ea-php73/root/usr/bin/php-config --prefix=$HOME/pecl/ - If that runs without error, the package should be compatible with our environment. If it completes successfully, run the following command from the individual module directory.
make - That will create the module file you must put in your php.ini. It’ll be located in the modules directory and named .so.
- Copy the .so file to your ~/php/extensions directory you created.
cp ~/pecl//modules/.so ~/php/extensions/ - Copy the existing server-installed extensions from /usr/lib64/php/modules/ to the ~/php/extensions directory:
cp -rf /usr/lib64/php/modules/* ~/php/extensions/ - Edit your PHP config from within the Advanced section, then MultiPHP INI Editor. Use the Editor mode to add the following line or edit the existing line.You can find your /home/user folder using the “pwd” command in the shell.
extension_dir = "/home<#>//php/extensions" - Add the extension to your php.ini file. It’ll look like:
extension=.so
How to view currently installed PECL packages?
Before you can install new PECL packages, it’s helpful to know which extensions are already installed on your server. Viewing your currently installed PECL packages allows you to avoid duplicate installations and helps you understand your PHP environment better.
This process requires command-line access through SSH, which gives you direct control over your server’s PHP configuration.
To check your installed PECL packages, you’ll need SSH access enabled on your hosting account. If you don’t have SSH access set up yet, you can follow our step-by-step guide on SSH Access to get started. Once SSH is configured, you’ll be able to list all installed packages and verify which PHP extensions are currently active on your server.
Prerequisites for viewing PECL packages
Before you can view your PECL packages, make sure you have:
- SSH access enabled on your cPanel account
- Command line access to your server
- Knowledge of which PHP version you’re using
How to view globally installed PECL packages?
Individual cPanel users cannot view system-wide PECL installations through the control panel. However, you can check your personal ~/pecl folder to see which packages are installed in your account. For globally installed packages, use the following command structure:
ea-php73-pecl list -a
Understanding PHP version options
The command above uses PHP 7.3 as an example (indicated by the “73” in the command). You can replace this number with any PHP version available on your server:
- PHP 5.6: ea-php56-pecl list -a
- PHP 7.0: ea-php70-pecl list -a
- PHP 7.1: ea-php71-pecl list -a
- PHP 7.2: ea-php72-pecl list -a
- PHP 7.3: ea-php73-pecl list -a
- PHP 7.4: ea-php74-pecl list -a
Simply match the version number in the command to the PHP version your website is currently running!
Final thoughts
Throughout this guide, you’ve learned how to install PECL packages and manage them effectively within your PHP environment. We’ve covered the essential steps for checking your currently installed packages, understanding PECL’s role in extending PHP functionality and the practical methods for installation whether you have direct server access or need to work within shared hosting limitations.
By now, you should understand how PECL works and what installation options are available based on your hosting environment.
Remember that while learning how to install PECL extensions may initially seem technical, the process becomes straightforward once you understand the basic workflow. Whether you’re accessing packages through SSH or locating them in your ~/pecl folder, you have the tools and knowledge to enhance your PHP capabilities.
With PECL packages now at your fingertips, you can extend your PHP installation with powerful libraries and tools that will elevate your development projects.
Start small, experiment with packages that solve your immediate needs and gradually expand your PHP environment as your projects grow. Your enhanced PHP experience begins with that first successful PECL installation.
FAQs
PECL (PHP Extension Community Library) is a repository of PHP extensions that provides additional functionality beyond the core PHP installation. You need PECL to install specialized extensions that enhance your PHP capabilities, such as advanced caching, image processing or database connectivity features.
To install PECL, you first need to ensure you have PHP and PEAR installed on your system. Some hosting environments include PECL by default. You can verify installation by running “pecl version” in your terminal. If it’s not installed, you can typically install it through your system’s package manager or by downloading it from the official PECL website.
You can view all installed PECL packages by running the command “pecl list” in your terminal or command line interface. This will display a complete list of installed extensions along with their version numbers and status. Alternatively, you can check your php.ini file to see which extensions are currently loaded.
If a PECL package fails to install, first check that you have the necessary system dependencies and development tools installed. Common issues include missing compilers, outdated PHP versions or insufficient permissions. Review the error messages carefully, ensure your system meets the package requirements and try running the installation command with sudo privileges if needed.
Yes, you can easily uninstall PECL packages using the command “pecl uninstall [package-name]”. After uninstalling, remember to remove or comment out the extension line from your php.ini file and restart your web server to ensure the changes take effect. This helps keep your PHP environment clean and optimized.
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