Fix: “PHP is not recognized as an internal or external command” error

We know that PHP is a server-side scripting language. But, We can execute PHP script though the command link too.

But, Most of the time we face an issue:

This is because of the environment path for the php.exe file is not exist. To make it work you need to set the environment path into the system setting.

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#Add Environment Path Add Environment Path

Step 1: Click on Start menu from windows Operating System and search for Environment Variables and then click on Environment Variables

Step 2: Edit the System variables or User variables

• System variables – If we add a path in system variables then other system users also use the PHP though command line.
• User variables – If we set the path for the current user then only current user can execute the PHP though command line.

Step 3: Add the PHP directory location where the PHP is installed. In XAMPP we can find the PHP location at:

c:\xampp\php

So, Click on New, add the path, and click on Ok.

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#Testing Testing

To test the PHP is available with command line.

• Open Terminal (CMD)
• Type php -v

You can see something similar screen.

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#Example Example

Now, Let’s see how to execute PHP script through the command line with the simple example.

Note: I assume that you have a localhost server XAMPP, MAMP, WAMP, VVV, Local By Flywheel or something else.

Step 1: Create a file test.php in c:\xampp\htdocs\examples

Step 2: Copy and paste below code into the file test.php

<?php
echo 'Hello World';

Step 3: Open terminal or CMD (Command Prompt) and navigate to the examples directory.

cd c:\xampp\htdocs\examples

Step 4: Execute command

php test.php

You can see the Hello World into the terminal screen like: