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Struggling with a PHP website that works locally but fails when deployed? Learn about the common pitfalls, particularly related to PHP version mismatches, and how to resolve them effectively.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/77205513/ asked by the user 'Au Wai Lun' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/22449290/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/77269777/ provided by the user 'Au Wai Lun' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/22449290/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Why Does My PHP Website Work on Localhost but Not After Deployment?

Have you ever found yourself in a frustrating situation where your PHP website operates flawlessly on your localhost but runs into troubles once deployed on a server? You're not alone! This common problem can stem from various issues, one of which is the PHP version mismatch on your server. In this guide, we'll dive into this issue and explore how you can resolve it efficiently.

Identifying the Problem

When you develop a website on your local machine, it operates in a controlled environment where you have complete control over configurations and system resources. However, once you choose to deploy it on a remote server, several new variables come into play:

Server Configuration: Different servers may have different PHP configurations, extensions, and versions.

Error Handling: Deployment environments often handle errors differently, making it harder to diagnose issues.

External APIs: If your application integrates with external APIs (like sending emails), differences in server setup can lead to failures.

In the specific case that brought this topic to light, a developer faced an issue where an internal server error (HTTP error code 500) occurred after deploying their PHP website at dash.infinity.com while using the Resend API for email notifications.

Finding the Root Cause

Upon investigation, the developer discovered:

The local development environment was using PHP version 8.2, while the deployed server only supported PHP version 7.4.

This crucial difference likely caused compatibility issues with certain functions and features utilized in the code.

Solution: Aligning PHP Versions

Here are steps to resolve the issue:

Check the PHP Version on Your Hosting Server:

Use a simple PHP script with phpinfo() to find out which version is currently running.

Upgrade PHP on the Server:

If possible, upgrade your hosting server to support a newer PHP version (preferably 8.2 or above). Most hosting providers offer this option, but if they don’t, consider switching to a provider that does.

Test Locally with Paralleling Environment:

To avoid future discrepancies, try to replicate your production environment locally. You can set up a Docker container or a local virtual machine that mirrors your server's configuration.

Fallback Options:

If upgrading PHP isn’t feasible, consider modifying your code to ensure compatibility with PHP 7.4. Check the documentation for any deprecated functions and features that may need adjustments.

Alternatives for Email APIs

If you're looking for alternatives to Resend API that are more forgiving regarding server configurations, consider:

PHPMailer: A popular and widely used library for sending emails, which can run on older PHP versions.

SendGrid: A reliable email service that offers both free and paid options for transactional emails.

Mailgun: Another robust email service that provides easy integration for various hosting environments.

Conclusion

In summary, the discrepancy between your local development environment and the deployment server can lead to critical issues like the one you experienced with the internal server error. By ensuring that both environments are aligned—especially regarding PHP versions—you can save yourself from these types of headaches.

It's important to consistently audit your hosting environment and keep it updated to match your application's demands.

Have you encountered similar issues with your PHP applications? Share your experiences and potential solutions in the comments below!