Error when trying to use PHP shell.

UNIX macOS
1

Hi,

Now that I'm going to be using my Mac as a web host, I decided to use the PHP shell.
However, when I type php straight in the terminal, the session freezes.

Is there anything wrong that I'm doing?

2

What happens if you type "php -v" ?

Does it really freeze, or can you type and see carriage returns. If so, typing "control+c" will return the prompt.

What happens if you type "man php" ?
Or "which php" ?

3

When I type "php -v", I get this:

And then I go back to the BASH prompt (I'm using BASH as my default shell).
When I type "which php", I get the directory which the php Unix application is installed (/usr/bin/php).
And although I did this before I asked the question, I get a manual on the PHP program when I type "man php."

Here's the whole terminal session:

Last login: Fri Jul 16 21:12:56 on console
Welcome to Darwin!
iMac:~ danny$ php -v
PHP 4.3.2 (cli) (built: Sep 13 2003 22:04:20)
Copyright (c) 1997-2003 The PHP Group
Zend Engine v1.3.0, Copyright (c) 1998-2003 Zend Technologies
iMac:~ danny$ which php
/usr/bin/php
iMac:~ danny$ man php
iMac:~ danny$ logout
[Process completed]
4

so, if you only type:

php

followed by a carriage return,
the cursor moves down one line without a prompt?

If so, this is normal. It means php is waiting for the code to execute.

In that case, enter:

<? phpinfo() ?>

followed by a cariage return and then "control+d".

If you get a long list of settings, then php command line is working as it should.

It just needs to be started, then script/command entered, and told when to process the script/command.