CakePHP is a PHP-based open-source web application framework that follows the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern. It offers a structured approach to developing web applications by providing conventions and built-in features.
CakePHP is known for its simplicity, convention-driven approach, and robust feature set. It is used to build a wide range of web applications, from small websites to large-scale enterprise systems.
This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing CakePHP on the Ubuntu 22.04 operating system.
Step 1: Update your Operating System
Ensure your Ubuntu 22.04 operating system is up to date by executing the following command:
# apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Step 2: Install Apache Web-Server
Install the Apache web server using the apt package manager with the following command:
# apt install apache2
Check the status of the Apache service using the systemctl status command:
# systemctl status apache2
Step 3: Install PHP and PHP Extensions for CakePHP
To install PHP and the required PHP extensions for creating a CakePHP project, run the following command:
# apt-get install php libapache2-mod-php php-{cli,common,curl,zip,gd,mysql,xml,mbstring,json,intl,bcmath,sqlite3}
Verify if PHP is installed by running the command:
# php -v
Step 4: Install MySQL and Create a Database
Install the MySQL server using the following command:
# apt install mysql-server
Check the status of the MySQL service using the systemctl status command:
# systemctl status mysql
By default, the MySQL server is not hardened. Secure MySQL using the mysql_secure_installation script:
# mysql_secure_installation
Log into the MySQL prompt:
# mysql -u root -p
Create a database, database user, and grant all privileges to the database user by executing the following commands:
mysql> CREATE DATABASE cakephp_db;
mysql> CREATE USER ‘cakephp_user’@’localhost’ IDENTIFIED BY ‘Str0Pa$$word’;
mysql> GRANT ALL ON cakephp_db.* TO ‘cakephp_user’@’localhost’;
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
mysql> EXIT
Step 5: Install Composer
Download the Composer installer using the curl command:
# curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer | php
Move the composer file to the /usr/local/bin path:
# mv composer.phar /usr/local/bin/composer
Assign execute permission:
# chmod +x /usr/local/bin/composer
Verify the installed Composer version:
# composer –version
Step 6: Create CakePHP Project
Create a CakePHP project using Composer by running the following command:
# cd /var/www
# composer create-project –prefer-dist cakephp/app MyProject
During the installation, you will be prompted to change the permissions of the folders. Set the permissions as instructed.
Change the ownership of the MyProject directory with the following command:
# chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/MyProject/
Edit the MyProject/config/app_local.php configuration file and update the database settings accordingly:
# nano /var/www/MyProject/config/app_local.php
Step 7: Deploy CakePHP (Development)
To check if CakePHP is properly installed, run PHP’s built-in web server to serve your project:
# bin/cake server
To access your CakePHP project, open your web browser and enter the following URL: http://your-domain.com.