Troubleshooting: How to Get PHP Working with SQL Server in a Docker Container

Discover effective steps to resolve the "Call to undefined function sqlsrv_connect()" error when configuring PHP with SQL Server in a Docker container.
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Troubleshooting: How to Get PHP Working with SQL Server in a Docker Container

If you've recently ventured into the world of Docker and are encountering issues getting PHP to connect to SQL Server, you're not alone. Many new Docker users, especially those transitioning from MySQL to SQL Server, can face challenges, particularly with errors related to missing functions such as sqlsrv_connect(). In this guide, we’ll break down the common issues you might encounter and provide you with a structured solution to get your PHP application running smoothly in a Docker environment.

Understanding the Problem

When transitioning a CodeIgniter application from MySQL to SQL Server within a Docker container, developers may run into a specific error when attempting to use SQL Server functions in PHP. The error, usually phrased as:

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

commonly occurs when the necessary SQL Server drivers are missing or not properly configured. This can significantly hinder your development process, especially if you're exploring new technologies.

Background Information

As you start your journey with Docker, particularly with SQL Server, it’s essential to understand the typical flow:

Setting up the Docker container.

Installing the PHP extensions required for SQL Server connectivity (like sqlsrv and pdo_sqlsrv).

Properly utilizing the docker-compose to manage builds and services.

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to resolve the issue and properly configure your Docker setup to work with SQL Server.

1. Use Docker Compose for Building

Instead of using the generic docker build . command, which may reference outdated images, utilize docker-compose to build your application specifically. This ensures that Docker constructs a new image with the correct service definitions.

Command to Use:

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

Using this command, Docker Compose will build an image named appropriately for your service, preventing conflicts with any existing images that may be cached.

2. Dockerfile Configuration

Make sure your Dockerfile includes the necessary installations for SQL Server connectivity. Here’s a checklist to ensure you’ve incorporated everything needed:

Install MS ODBC Driver: Essential for enabling SQL Server functionality.

Install SQL Server Extensions: Use PECL to install the sqlsrv and pdo_sqlsrv extensions, and ensure they are enabled.

Sample Installation Commands in Dockerfile:

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

3. Rebuilding and Testing

After making modifications to your Dockerfile, it’s time to rebuild your containers using Docker Compose. This will integrate all your changes.

Execute:

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

Once the rebuild is complete, check if the sqlsrv and pdo_sqlsrv extensions are now active by creating a simple PHP info file and accessing it in your browser.

4. Using phpinfo()

Create a test PHP file to verify whether the SQL Server extensions are available:

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

If correctly configured, you should see sqlsrv and pdo_sqlsrv listed in the output.

Conclusion

Moving from MySQL to SQL Server in a Docker setup can pose some unique challenges, especially if you're new to Docker. By making sure to use docker-compose for builds, properly configuring your Dockerfile, and validating your extension installation, you can resolve the typical errors and have your environment running smoothly. Take these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to developing with PHP and SQL Server in Docker without issues. Happy coding!