How to use phpinfo() with a phpinfo.php file

Recently, as one of the mods on the Studiopress Support forum, I have spent a fair bit of time troubleshooting problems with the TimThumb script. In all cases, the users concerned were having issues with TimThumb due to their server configuration settings, but didn’t know how to find server information easily. So, here’s a brief tutorial on how to use the PHP function phpinfo() to discover all you need to know about your server configuration.

This really is very easy, and only takes three simple steps…

Make a phpinfo.php file

Open up your plain text editor and enter this:

<?php

phpinfo();

?>

And save the file as phpinfo.php.

Upload the phpinfo.php file

Upload your phpinfo.php to the root folder of your web server. This will be called something like public_html, httpdocs, or similar. Check your host’s documentation to find your root folder if you’re not sure.

Run phpinfo()

In your browser address bar, enter http://www.yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php. Sit back and watch as your screen is filled with a long list of your server’s configuration settings. Simple, eh?

Delete phpinfo.php from your server when finished

Security tip: Using a phpinfo.php file is powerful and easy – but it is also accessible to anyone else who can see your site. Therefore, delete the file from your server when you are finished. It only takes a moment to re-upload if necessary, so don’t leave it on your server where someone with malicious intent can discover it and use it to find out the details of your server configuration!