What are the pros and cons of running php as a regular CGI

[kurt.krueckeberg]

I am considering going with the ISP Dreamhost because they offers both
php4 and php5 support. However, I recently learned php4 runs as a
regular CGI by default. This can be change, so it will runs as an
Apache module. But if you want to run php5, you must run as PHP-CGI.
Dreamhost states there are:

"There are a FEW VERY MINOR drawbacks to running PHP-CGI. They are:

* Custom 404 pages won't work for .php files with PHP-CGI.

* Variables in the URL which are not regular ?foo=bar variables
won't work without using mod_rewrite
(example.com/blah.php/username/info/variable).

* Custom php directives in .htaccess files (php_include_di r
/home/user;/home/user/example_dir) won't work.

* The $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME'] variable will return the php.cgi
binary rather than the name of your script"

But are these really minor drawbacks? What if, for example, you really
do need to override a php directive? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kurt

[Toby Inkster]

kurt.krueckeber g wrote:

What if, for example, you really do need to override a php directive?

ini_set(); ?

--
Toby A Inkster BSc (Hons) ARCS
Contact Me ~ http://tobyinkster.co.uk/contact

[Tony Marston]

Personally I would not accept these "drawbacks" . I expect any web hosting
company to offer PHP as an Apache module so I can have the FULL power of
Apache and PHP at my disposal. Anything else would be unacceptable.

But that's just my personal opinion.

--
Tony Marston
http://www.tonymarston.net

<ku************ **@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:11******** *************@g 49g2000cwa.goog legroups.com...

I am considering going with the ISP Dreamhost because they offers both
php4 and php5 support. However, I recently learned php4 runs as a
regular CGI by default. This can be change, so it will runs as an
Apache module. But if you want to run php5, you must run as PHP-CGI.
Dreamhost states there are:

"There are a FEW VERY MINOR drawbacks to running PHP-CGI. They are:

* Custom 404 pages won't work for .php files with PHP-CGI.

* Variables in the URL which are not regular ?foo=bar variables
won't work without using mod_rewrite
(example.com/blah.php/username/info/variable).

* Custom php directives in .htaccess files (php_include_di r
/home/user;/home/user/example_dir) won't work.

* The $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME'] variable will return the php.cgi
binary rather than the name of your script"

But are these really minor drawbacks? What if, for example, you really
do need to override a php directive? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kurt

[Chuck Anderson]

ku************* *@gmail.com wrote:

I am considering going with the ISP Dreamhost because they offers both
php4 and php5 support. However, I recently learned php4 runs as a
regular CGI by default. This can be change, so it will runs as an
Apache module. But if you want to run php5, you must run as PHP-CGI.
Dreamhost states there are:
"There are a FEW VERY MINOR drawbacks to running PHP-CGI. They are:
Not sure what their problem is. My host (Page-zone) runs Php as a CGI
module.

(I don't know if they offer Php5 anywhere yet, but I don't need it. I'm
sure they will in good time.)
* Custom 404 pages won't work for .php files with PHP-CGI.

I have no such restriction. Custom 404 pages work as they should.
* Variables in the URL which are not regular ?foo=bar variables
won't work without using mod_rewrite
(example.com/blah.php/username/info/variable).

This seems to work also (I can access them from the REQUEST_URI global).
* Custom php directives in .htaccess files (php_include_di r
/home/user;/home/user/example_dir) won't work.

The alternative on my server is to put them in php.ini files in any
directory I need them in.
* The $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME'] variable will return the php.cgi
binary rather than the name of your script"

Works as expected on my server.
But are these really minor drawbacks? What if, for example, you really
do need to override a php directive? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Try using a php.ini file

--
*************** **************
Chuck Anderson • Boulder, CO
http://www.CycleTourist.com
Integrity is obvious.
The lack of it is common.
*************** **************

[DarkAngel]

Chuck Anderson wrote:

ku************* *@gmail.com wrote:

I am considering going with the ISP Dreamhost because they offers both
php4 and php5 support. However, I recently learned php4 runs as a
regular CGI by default. This can be change, so it will runs as an
Apache module. But if you want to run php5, you must run as PHP-CGI.
Dreamhost states there are:
"There are a FEW VERY MINOR drawbacks to running PHP-CGI. They are:

Not sure what their problem is. My host (Page-zone) runs Php as a CGI
module.

(I don't know if they offer Php5 anywhere yet, but I don't need it. I'm
sure they will in good time.)

* Custom 404 pages won't work for .php files with PHP-CGI.

I have no such restriction. Custom 404 pages work as they should.

* Variables in the URL which are not regular ?foo=bar variables
won't work without using mod_rewrite
(example.com/blah.php/username/info/variable).

This seems to work also (I can access them from the REQUEST_URI global).

* Custom php directives in .htaccess files (php_include_di r
/home/user;/home/user/example_dir) won't work.

The alternative on my server is to put them in php.ini files in any
directory I need them in.

* The $_SERVER['SCRIPT_NAME'] variable will return the php.cgi
binary rather than the name of your script"

Works as expected on my server.

But are these really minor drawbacks? What if, for example, you really
do need to override a php directive? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Try using a php.ini file

i've tried using a php.ini in a web root, but still i can't have
register_global turned on for that site