How to Open PHP File in Command Prompt (CMD)

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Summary: Learn how to execute PHP files using the Command Prompt (CMD) in Windows without the need for a web server setup. Follow these step-by-step instructions for running PHP scripts directly from the command line interface.
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To open and execute PHP files in the Command Prompt (CMD) on a Windows system, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Install PHP (if not already installed):

Follow the installation instructions provided by PHP to install it on your computer.

Set Up Environment Variables (if necessary):

During the PHP installation process, you may be prompted to add PHP to your system's PATH environment variable. If not, you can manually add the PHP directory to the PATH.

To do this, right-click on "This PC" or "My Computer" and select "Properties."

Click on "Advanced system settings" and then click on "Environment Variables."

Under "System variables," find the "Path" variable, select it, and click on "Edit."

Add the directory path where PHP is installed (e.g., C:\php) to the list of paths, separated by a semicolon.

Click "OK" to save the changes.

Open Command Prompt (CMD):

Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the "Run" dialog box.

Type cmd and press Enter, or search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu and open it.

Navigate to the Directory Containing the PHP File:

Use the cd command to navigate to the directory where your PHP file is located. For example, if your PHP file is in the "C:\php\scripts" directory, you would type:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Execute the PHP File:

Once you're in the directory containing your PHP file, simply type php followed by the name of the PHP file you want to execute. For example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

View Output (if applicable):

If your PHP script produces any output, such as text or HTML, it will be displayed in the Command Prompt window.

By following these steps, you can easily open and execute PHP files in the Command Prompt (CMD) on your Windows system without the need for a web server setup.