[php] How can I execute PHP code from the command line?

I would like to execute a single PHP statement like if(function_exists("my_func")) echo 'function exists'; directly with the command line without having to use a separate PHP file.

How is it possible?

This question is related to php linux function shell command-line

The answer is


Using PHP from the command line

Use " instead of ' on Windows when using the CLI version with -r:

php -r "echo 1;"

-- correct

php -r 'echo 1;'

-- incorrect

  PHP Parse error:  syntax error, unexpected ''echo' (T_ENCAPSED_AND_WHITESPACE), expecting end of file in Command line code on line 1

Don't forget the semicolon to close the line.


On the command line:

php -i | grep sourceguardian

If it's there, then you'll get some text. If not, you won't get a thing.


You can use:

 echo '<?php if(function_exists("my_func")) echo "function exists"; ' | php

The short tag "< ?=" can be helpful too:

 echo '<?= function_exists("foo") ? "yes" : "no";' | php
 echo '<?= 8+7+9 ;' | php

The closing tag "?>" is optional, but don't forget the final ";"!


If you're using Laravel, you can use php artisan tinker to get an amazing interactive shell to interact with your Laravel app. However, Tinker works with "Psysh" under the hood which is a popular PHP REPL and you can use it even if you're not using Laravel (bare PHP):

// Bare PHP:
>>> preg_match("/hell/", "hello");
=> 1

// Laravel Stuff:
>>> Str::slug("How to get the job done?!!?!", "_");
=> "how_to_get_the_job_done"

One great feature I really like about Psysh is that it provides a quick way for directly looking up the PHP docs from the command line. To get it to work, you only have to take the following simple steps:

apt install php-sqlite3

And then get the required PHP documentation database and move it to the proper location:

wget http://psysh.org/manual/en/php_manual.sqlite
mkdir -p /usr/local/share/psysh/ && mv php_manual.sqlite /usr/local/share/psysh/

Now for instance:

Enter image description here


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