modphpn

modphpn is a package that integrates the PHP interpreter directly into the Apache HTTP Server as a native module. By loading the module in the Apache configuration, PHP code is processed by the server without the need for an external FastCGI or CGI wrapper. The design follows the single-process, thread-safe model employed by earlier mod_php versions, but incorporates improvements to memory handling and isolation that are intended to reduce interference between requests.

The module is typically distributed as a shared library (libphp5.so, libphp7.so, etc.) and is compiled against a specific version of PHP. Once enabled, it interprets PHP files on the fly as part of the request cycle, allowing PHP scripts to run with no additional service to manage. This close coupling yields low overhead and fast response times, while also simplifying deployment because no separate process manager is required.

Administrators configure modphpn with the same directives used for other Apache modules, such as AddHandler and SetHandler, and can use the standard PHP configuration files (php.ini, php_fpm.ini) for language settings. The module is supported on Linux, BSD, and Windows distributions that ship a compatible Apache build. Although many developers now prefer FastCGI or PHP‑FPM for scalability and isolation, modphpn remains a viable option for lightweight, low‑traffic sites that prioritize simplicity and performance.