If you’re using a version of *nix, including Mac OS X, see the sidebar.ġ. In the steps, I’ll explain how to install Xdebug on Windows. As with the installation of pretty much any software, the particulars will vary depending on the operating system in use. I’ll explain how to do that in the next sequence of steps. In order for you to use Xdebug, it must be installed and enabled in PHP. By using a debugger enabled in your programming application, you will likely get other useful debugging features, such as the ability to create breakpoints and debug a PHP script as it runs. If so, you should enable and learn that debugger.

That being said, if you’re using a particular text editor or IDE for your PHP development, you ought to see if it supports Xdebug or another debugging tool. I’ll first explain how to install Xdebug, and then introduce some of its basic usage. It has the features you’ll need and is well maintained (it was created by one of the core PHP developers, Derick Rethans). Xdebug ( All are reasonably good choices, but in this chapter, I want to discuss Xdebug.The three most common PHP debugging tools are: At some point, it becomes time to pick up a third-party debugging tool that will offer you more bang for your proverbial buck. And, hopefully, you’ll become a better programmer who writes code with fewer errors in the first place.Īs you start doing more sophisticated programming, particularly that involving objects, the basic debugging approaches may no longer suffice. Over time, however, you will pick up basic debugging skills and better understand the common causes of errors. This is unfortunately ironic, because when you’re just starting, you’re doing a lot of debugging. When you first start programming, learning how to debug effectively is difficult. This can-and often should-be your own development computer, though. Note that most of this chapter’s material will require that you’re able to install software on your server. Finally, there is the subject of profiling and performance enhancing. Second, there’s the concept of unit testing, which can greatly change how you write, and test, software. By now you’re certainly comfortable with debugging, and so, first, it’s time to learn how to use third-party tools to make debugging easier. To conclude this book, I want to discuss three concepts you’ll most likely want to begin implementing as you go forward.

Best php ide 2013