Question
Answer and Explanation
The `pecl/sqlsrv` package being ignored after installation can stem from several reasons. Here are the common causes and how to address them:
1. Incorrect PHP Version:
- Verify the PHP version you are using is compatible with the `sqlsrv` extension you installed. Different versions of `sqlsrv` are compiled for specific PHP versions. If they don't match, the extension won't load. For example, if you have PHP 8.1, you will need the `sqlsrv` extension version compiled for PHP 8.1.
- Use the command `php -v` to check your PHP version. You can then check the `pecl` documentation for corresponding supported `sqlsrv` versions.
2. Incorrect Extension Architecture (32-bit vs 64-bit):
- Ensure that the architecture of the `sqlsrv` extension matches your PHP installation. If you have a 64-bit PHP installation, you need the 64-bit version of the extension, and vice versa.
- A mismatch will cause the extension to fail to load. Common errors include not finding the DLL on windows.
3. Missing php.ini Configuration:
- After installing the `sqlsrv` package with `pecl`, you must enable the extension in your `php.ini` file. Locate the file using `php --ini`. Find the relevant section for enabling extensions and add the line `extension=sqlsrv.so` (or `extension=php_sqlsrv.dll` on Windows). You can also enable the pdo version using `extension=pdo_sqlsrv.so` or `extension=php_pdo_sqlsrv.dll` .
- Make sure to choose the correct name of the extension file, for example `sqlsrv_81_ts_x64.dll` if using PHP 8.1, you'll still enable it with `extension=php_sqlsrv.dll`, only the filename in the extensions directory changes.
4. Extension File Not in Correct Directory:
- The `sqlsrv` extension file needs to be in the directory where PHP looks for extensions. This is defined in the `php.ini` file with the `extension_dir` directive. Ensure that your `sqlsrv` extension is in that location.
- Verify the location using the command: `php -i | grep extension_dir`
5. Conflicting Extension Versions:
- If you have multiple versions of the `sqlsrv` extension, ensure you're enabling the one matching your PHP version. Having conflicting versions can lead to issues.
6. Dependencies not installed:
- The sqlsrv driver has dependencies. On Windows this means you'll need Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server. Make sure this driver is installed and functional.
7. Incorrect Compilation Type (Thread-Safe vs Non-Thread-Safe):
- PHP comes in Thread-Safe and Non-Thread-Safe versions. You must choose the version of `sqlsrv` that matches your PHP installation. Most commonly, XAMPP and other server environments on Windows will use Thread Safe version of PHP. To verify the thread safety of your PHP version check the output of `php -i`, and look for `Thread Safety`.
8. Restart Apache or PHP-FPM:
- After making changes to `php.ini`, restart your web server (like Apache or Nginx) or your PHP-FPM service for the changes to take effect.
9. Check PHP Error Logs:
- Examine PHP's error logs to see if any messages indicate why `sqlsrv` is not loading. The logs are often the first place to look for diagnostics. Look for errors indicating that the extension was not found or failed to load.
By checking these points, you should be able to identify why your installed `pecl/sqlsrv` package is being ignored. Make sure to verify PHP version, architecture, configurations, and logs. After correcting any issue, make sure to restart webserver.