PHP no longer bundled with FileMaker Server

Claris Engineering Blog

December 29, 2020

Updates:

• July 2023
• August 2022
• May 2022
• February 2022
• November 2021
• July 2021
• January 2021

In Windows and macOS, Claris FileMaker Server versions before 19.5.2 support Custom Web Publishing (CWP) with PHP. However, PHP is no longer bundled with FileMaker Server on Windows or macOS. Additionally, CWP with PHP is deprecated starting with FileMaker Server 19.5.2. This engineering blog describes bundling PHP with FileMaker Server, installing PHP, and options for interacting with custom apps hosted on FileMaker Server before version 19.5.2.

For alternative solutions to CWP with PHP, refer to the PHP libraries available in Claris Marketplace.

Note: CWP with PHP is deprecated. This blog will no longer receive updates as technologies change.

List of topics in this blog:

• Bundling PHP with FileMaker Server
• Installing PHP
• Options for interacting with custom apps hosted on FileMaker Server

Bundling PHP with FileMaker Server

• FileMaker Server on macOS: Starting with version 19.4.1, PHP is not included with the installation.
• FileMaker Server on Windows: Starting with version 19.2, PHP is not included with the installation.
• FileMaker Server installed on Linux and Claris FileMaker Cloud do not support CWP with PHP.
• To host PHP websites, see Hosting PHP websites in FileMaker Server Help.

Installing PHP

Claris has tested and approved PHP 7.4 to use with FileMaker Server on Windows and macOS. While newer versions of PHP address bugs and security vulnerabilities, upgrading PHP may cause compatibility issues with CWP with PHP. Install and use newer versions at your own discretion.

PHP is optional, but if you decide to use CWP with PHP on Windows or macOS, you must install PHP. The CWP with PHP API files are no longer placed in the Web Publishing folder, but may be downloaded from here. The following sections discuss installing PHP.

Enable Web Publishing

CWP with PHP requires the web publishing engine to first be enabled. In Admin Console, navigate to the Connectors > Web Publishing tab. Enable web publishing and follow the prompts to upload the appropriate Java Development Kit.

Install PHP on Windows

The Windows operating system and FileMaker Server on Windows don’t include PHP. You need to install PHP if you plan to use CWP with PHP. While your custom PHP files and PHP API files should not be affected, it is recommended you copy your web documents folder (see below) to another location before you upgrade to FileMaker Server 19.2.1 or later on Windows. Remember to copy your PHP files back to the provided web documents folder after installing FileMaker Server. Installing the PHP engine does not affect your PHP files.

FileMaker Server web documents folder (Windows):

C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\HTTPServer\conf\

To install PHP on Windows

If you are installing a version of FileMaker Server which doesn’t bundle PHP, you must install PHP and the required PEAR package to be able to host PHP files. The following instructions install PHP to an active FileMaker Server installation. The commands should be run together. Wait for each set of commands to complete before moving on to the next step.

1. Download and install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2022. Note: If the application is not already installed, download it from here.
2. Run the Windows command prompt as Administrator.
3. Close the PHP CGI program if running.TASKKILL /IM php-cgi.exe /F
4. Stop the FileMaker Server process.net stop "FileMaker Server"
5. Navigate to the publishing-engine directory.cd "C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine"
6. Download the zip file for the PHP installation of your choice.start /wait powershell Start-BitsTransfer -Source https://windows.php.net/downloads/releases/archives/php-7.4.9-nts-Win32-vc15-x64.zip -Destination php.zip Notes:
   • The code shown downloads the PHP version that is tested by Claris.
   • For PHP Windows downloads, see PHP For Windows: Binaries and Sources Releases.
7. Extract the zip file into a new folder named php.start /wait powershell Expand-Archive -Path """C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php.zip""" -DestinationPath php
8. Navigate to the newly created php directory.cd "C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php"
9. Copy the php.ini-production file to create a new php.ini file.copy php.ini-production php.ini
10. Use the following commands to add required lines to the end of the newly created php.ini file.echo default_charset = "utf-8" >> php.iniecho include_path = ".;C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php\PEAR;C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php\FileMaker;C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php" >> php.iniecho curl.cainfo = "C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\CStore\root.pem" >> php.iniecho extension_dir = "C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php\ext" >> php.iniecho enable_dl = On >> php.iniecho extension = php_curl.dll >> php.ini
11. Add the php directory to the system path.setx /M path "%PATH%;C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php;"
12. Download and install FileMaker API for PHP.
    1. Download the FileMaker API for PHP zip file.
    2. Change directory and extract the API.cd [directory of zip file]start /wait powershell Expand-Archive -Path """FM_API_for_PHP_Standalone.zip""" -DestinationPath """C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php"""
13. Download the latest PHP PEAR package installer.cd "C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php"start /wait powershell Start-BitsTransfer -Source https://pear.php.net/go-pear.phar -Destination go-pear.phar
14. Run the PHP PEAR package installer.php go-pear.phar
    1. When prompted for local or system, choose system, then press Enter.
    2. At the prompt, type 13, then press Enter.
    3. Use the Explorer window to navigate to the new php directory located in C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Web Publishing\publishing-engine\php.
    4. When you are back at the command prompt option, press Enter.
15. Start the FileMaker Server process.net start "FileMaker Server"
16. Enable CWP with PHP.fmsadmin SET CWPCONFIG ENABLEPHP=true
17. Restart FileMaker Server.net stop "FileMaker Server"net start "FileMaker Server"

• For more information on PHP for Windows, see Installation on Windows systems.
• For more information on FileMaker Custom Web Publishing, see FileMaker Server Custom Web Publishing Guide.

Install PHP on macOS

FileMaker Server on macOS doesn’t include PHP. You need to install PHP if you plan to use CWP with PHP. While your custom PHP files and PHP API files should not be affected, it is recommended you copy your web documents folder (see below) to another location before you upgrade to FileMaker Server 19.4.1 or later on macOS. Remember to copy your PHP files back to the provided web documents folder after installing FileMaker Server. Installing the PHP engine does not affect your PHP files.

FileMaker Server web documents folder (macOS):

/Library/FileMaker Server/HTTPServer/htdocs

To install PHP on macOS

If you are installing a version of FileMaker Server which doesn’t bundle PHP, you must install PHP and the required PEAR package to be able to host PHP files. The following instructions install PHP to an active FileMaker Server installation. The commands should be run together. Wait for each set of commands to complete before moving on to the next step.

1. Open the Terminal app and run the command to install Homebrew./bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"Notes:
   • You will be prompted for your password for permission to continue. Read carefully and provide the required information to continue the installation.
   • For Mac computers with the Apple M1 chip, the homebrew installation path may be different, and the path may need to be added to the environment paths with the following commands:export PATH=/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATHexport PATH=/opt/homebrew/sbin:$PATH
2. Install PHP using Homebrew.brew install php@7.4Note: Follow any additional directions provided by the PHP installation.
3. Open /Library/FileMaker Server/HTTPServer/conf/httpd.conf.2.4 with a plain text editor and add the following lines to the end of the file.
   • For Mac computers with the M1 chip:LoadModule php7_module /opt/homebrew/opt/php@7.4/lib/httpd/modules/libphp7.soAddType application/x-httpd-php .phpAddType application/x-httpd-php-source .phps
   • For Intel-based Mac computers:LoadModule php7_module /usr/local/opt/php@7.4/lib/httpd/modules/libphp7.soAddType application/x-httpd-php .phpAddType application/x-httpd-php-source .phps
   Notes:
   • The PHP module path might be different from the one provided above (or the one provided in this example).
   • For macOS Monterey, you must use the following steps:
     1. Use Certificate Assistant in Keychain Access to create a self-signed certificate. Use a meaningful name for this certificate.Keychain Access > Certificate Assistant > Create a Certificate
     2. Sign the php application using the certificate name you provided.
        • For Mac computers with the M1 chip:codesign --sign "<certificate name>" --force --keychain ~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain-db /opt/homebrew/opt/php@7.4/lib/httpd/modules/libphp7.so
        • For Intel-based Mac computers:codesign --sign "<certificate name>" --force --keychain ~/Library/Keychains/login.keychain-db /usr/local/opt/php@7.4/lib/httpd/modules/libphp7.so
     3. Add the certificate name to the end of the LoadModule line.
        • For Mac computers with the M1 chip:LoadModule php7_module /opt/homebrew/opt/php@7.4/lib/httpd/modules/libphp7.so "<certificate name>"
        • For Intel-based Mac computers:LoadModule php7_module /usr/local/opt/php@7.4/lib/httpd/modules/libphp7.so "<certificate name>"
4. In /Library/FileMaker Server/HTTPServer/conf/httpd.conf.2.4, find and replace the following lines.
   • Find:<FilesMatch "\.php$">    Require all denied</FilesMatch>
   • Replace with:<FilesMatch "\.php$">    SetHandler application/x-httpd-php    Require all granted</FilesMatch><FilesMatch "\.phps$">    SetHandler application/x-httpd-php-source    Require all granted</FilesMatch>
5. Open php.ini with a plain text editor.
   • For Mac computers with the M1 chip, the file is located here:/opt/homebrew/etc/php/7.4/php.ini
   • For Intel-based Mac computers, the file is located here:/usr/local/etc/php/7.4/php.ini
6. Add the following lines to the end of the php.ini file.
   • For Mac computers with the M1 chip:include_path = ".:/opt/homebrew/Cellar/php@7.4/7.4.33_4/lib/php"curl.cainfo = "/Library/FileMaker Server/CStore/root.pem"
   • For Intel-based Mac computers:include_path = ".:/usr/local/Cellar/php@7.4/7.4.33_4/lib/php"curl.cainfo = "/Library/FileMaker Server/CStore/root.pem"
   Notes:
   • The folder paths are based on the installed version of PHP. If a version of PHP other than 7.4.33_4 is installed, change the paths to reflect the installed version.
   • The PHP module path might be different from the one provided above (or the one provided in this example).
   • If you notice unexpected errors in your hosted PHP files, you may also want to modify the following php.ini entries to disable the error messages:expose_php = Offerror_reporting = E_ALL & ~E_NOTICEdisplay_errors = Offdisplay_startup_errors = Off
7. Download and install FileMaker API for PHP.
   1. Download the FileMaker API for PHP zip file.
   2. In the Terminal app, change the directory to where the zip file is downloaded.cd [directory of zip file]
   3. Run the following commands to unzip the file and copy the output to the appropriate PHP folder.
      • For Mac computers with the M1 chip:unzip FM_API_for_PHP_Standalone.zipcp -r ./FileMaker /opt/homebrew/Cellar/php@7.4/7.4.33_4/lib/php/FileMakercp ./FileMaker.php /opt/homebrew/Cellar/php@7.4/7.4.33_4/lib/php/FileMaker.php
      • For Intel-based Mac computers:unzip FM_API_for_PHP_Standalone.zipcp -r ./FileMaker /usr/local/Cellar/php@7.4/7.4.33_4/lib/php/FileMakercp ./FileMaker.php /usr/local/Cellar/php@7.4/7.4.33_4/lib/php/FileMaker.php
8. Download the latest PHP PEAR package installer.curl -O https://pear.php.net/go-pear.phar
9. Run the PHP PEAR package installer.sudo php -d detect_unicode=0 go-pear.phar
   1. At the prompt, type 1, then press Return.
   2. Type /opt/homebrew (for Mac computers with M1) or /usr/local (for other Mac computers), then press Return.
   3. When you are back at the command prompt option, press Return. (You may need to press Return more than once to get back to the standard command prompt.)
   Note: You will be prompted for your password for permission to continue.
10. Copy the PEAR.php file to the PHP directory.
    • For Mac computers with the M1 chip:cp /opt/homebrew/share/pear/PEAR.php /opt/homebrew/Cellar/php@7.4/7.4.33_4/lib/php/
    • For Intel-based Mac computers:cp /usr/local/share/pear/PEAR.php /usr/local/Cellar/php@7.4/7.4.33_4/lib/php/
    Note: This step is only required if the PEAR installation is unable to add the correct path to the include_path configuration option in the php.ini file.
11. Reset the link between the two httpd.conf files.rm /Library/FileMaker\ Server/HTTPServer/conf/httpd.confln /Library/FileMaker\ Server/HTTPServer/conf/httpd.conf.2.4 /Library/FileMaker\ Server/HTTPServer/conf/httpd.conf
12. Restart the FileMaker Server web processes twice for changes to take effect.sudo /Library/FileMaker\ Server/HTTPServer/bin/httpdctl restartNote: You will be prompted for your password for permission to continue.

For more information on FileMaker Custom Web Publishing, see FileMaker Server Custom Web Publishing Guide.

Options for interacting with custom apps hosted on FileMaker Server

CWP with PHP provides a programmatic way of accessing FileMaker database information using a PHP API. You can also use a different language, such as JavaScript (Node.js), Java, and Python, or one of the following methods to provide similar database access. If you use one of the following methods, you must enable database account access using the appropriate extended privileges.

For information on editing your database access with the appropriate extended privileges, see Editing extended privileges for a privilege set in FileMaker Pro Help.

ODBC and JDBC

You can use FileMaker Server as:

• a data source. You can share hosted FileMaker Pro database files with other applications on the same computer or over a network using ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and JDBC (Java Database Connectivity). For example, use FileMaker Pro data in other applications to create charts, analyze numbers, and generate reports.
• an ODBC client application. Hosted FileMaker Pro databases can interact with data sources on the same computer or over a network. For example, hosted FileMaker Pro databases can work with an Oracle data source interactively as defined in the FileMaker Pro relationships graph and in layouts.

To use ODBC and JDBC, you need to install and configure client drivers and enable the host application to share data via ODBC/JDBC.

• To install ODBC and JDBC, see Installing FileMaker JDBC client drivers.
• To enable ODBC and JDBC in databases, see Sharing FileMaker Pro databases via ODBC and JDBC in FileMaker Server Help.
• To use ODBC and JDBC, see Using ODBC and JDBC with FileMaker Server in FileMaker Server Help.

FileMaker Data API

The Claris FileMaker Data API allows interacting with databases, layouts, records, and scripts. Your license of FileMaker Server sets annual FileMaker Data API limits.

• To enable FileMaker Data API in FileMaker Server, see FileMaker Data API settings in FileMaker Server Help.
• To use the FileMaker Data API, see FileMaker Data API Guide.
• For more information on annual limits, see Understanding the Data API Annual Limits.

OData API

Open Data Protocol (OData) is an open protocol and standard for querying and manipulating data across REST APIs. It is available for FileMaker Cloud and FileMaker Server for Mac, Windows and Linux.

• To enable OData in FileMaker Server, see OData API settings (Linux) in FileMaker Server Help.
• To use OData for FileMaker Server on Linux, see FileMaker OData Guide.

Updates for July 2023

• This blog corrects an issue where web publishing is not enabled.
• For Windows, the step to download FM_API_for_PHP_Standalone.zip has been added.
• For macOS and homebrew, the method of installing older versions of PHP has changed.

Updates for August 2022

• Starting with FileMaker Server 19.5.2, CWP with PHP is deprecated.

Updates for May 2022

• This blog now includes information about installing PHP on macOS for FileMaker Server on Mac computers with the Apple M1 chip.

Updates for February 2022

• This blog now includes information about installing PHP on macOS for FileMaker Server.

Updates for November 2021

• Starting with version 19.4.1, FileMaker Server on macOS no longer includes a bundled PHP engine.

Updates for July 2021

• The supported PHP version for FileMaker Server on Windows was updated from 7.1.19 to 7.4.9.

Updates for January 2021

• On January 13, 2021, a code step was corrected to include the Claris tested version of PHP instead of a later version of PHP.
• The notes below the code correction were added to clarify reasons for upgrading PHP for use with CWP with PHP.

Answer Number: 000035470

Products

• FileMaker Server
•   2023
•   19.x