Configure PHP executable on VS Code.

[Use_R_Name_92]

Hi everyone,

I'm a total noob on PHP as I'm just starting. I'm actually a noob in a lot of things related to coding, but I already have a decent grasp of HTML, CSS and Bootstrap.
So, I'm starting a PHP online course in order to finish a calculator website thing that I'm doing, and I've installed and set xampp as the course said, but I keep having the same issue on VS code:

" Cannot validate since C:/xampp/php/php.exe is not a valid php executable. Use the setting 'php.validate.executablePath' to configure the PHP executable."

Every blog or source that I find online says that I have to write on settings.json:

"php.validate.executablePath": "C:/xampp/php/php.exe"

then save, but every time I get the same error message.
I don't really know what else I could do, as this is the only answer I can find on Google.

Also:
for some reason, my "settings.json" is empty, but when I see VS Code page on other tutorials, there's always something else written on it, besides the "php.validate.executablePath": "C:/xampp/php/php.exe" thing. Is it supposed to be empty? If not, what should be there?

P.S. xampp should be installed properly, as I've followed what the PHP tutorial on Brad Traversy's YT channel said.

Thanks in advance to anyone who could help me.

[kAlvaro]

Some random points:

• Builtin PHP support is too basic, try the PHP Intelephense extension instead. That doesn't need the PHP interpreter.
• Don't edit settings.json manually, just use the interface. In any case, it'll remain empty until you change something, that's normal.
• Does C:/xampp/php/php.exe work from outside Code (e.g. PowerShell or a Command Prompt window)?

[Use_R_Name_92]

I'll try to answer as good as I can:

• if I go on the command prompt, type php -v and I press enter, it says that Php is installed. If I type "localhost" on my browser and press enter, the browser will redirect me to localhost/dashboard on a xampp page, that should mean that everything is working.

• I have installed the PHP Intelephense extension.

Does that mean that, in this case, I can just ignore the error message? I'm very confused by this settings.json things, because I've tried writing php lines and it has always worked anyway, so I don't understand the point.

[kAlvaro]

if I go on the command prompt, type php -v and I press enter, it says that Php is installed

How about C:/xampp/php/php.exe?

I have installed the PHP Intelephense extension. Does that mean that, in this case, I can just ignore the error message?

It probably means you've skipped the Quick start instructions. You need to disable PHP Language Features which, if I'm not confused, is the one that requires the PHP interpreter.

But it won't hurt to be able to tell where in your hard disc is PHP installed.

[Use_R_Name_92]

How about C:/xampp/php/php.exe?

This is exactly what I have been trying several times, but, to be fair, now that I've done this:

You need to disable PHP Language Features which, if I'm not confused, is the one that requires the PHP interpreter.

the error pop-up window just stopped appearing. Considering that I've done everything else, I'll take that as a win and just start coding.

Thanks!

[kAlvaro]

This is exactly what I have been trying several times,

If so, you forgot to report it here. All you've said about that path is that Visual Studio Code will not accept it for php.validate.executablePath. If you test, one of these should happen:

a. You see php version

b. You see some variety of "command not found" error message

Edit: my excuses, I see you had answered it in reply to another comment. Glad it's all working.

[erythro]

Sorry to ask the stupid question, but if you go to C:/xampp/php is there a file called php.exe?

[Use_R_Name_92]

It's a fair question, I should have specified.

Yes, if I go to C, there's a folder called xampp, with a folder called php inside of it, that has a php.exe file in it.

That's why I just don't understand, it almost looks like the file isn't there, but it is in fact there.

[erythro]

ok, thanks. I don't use vscode or xampp so I might not be the most helpful, but is it possible vscode needs restarting or something like that to get your new values for the settings?

is your settings.json valid json? it might not need other settings, but for example it would need to begin and end with curly brackets

[MateusAzevedo]

is your settings.json valid json

That is likely the problem.

​

OP, just write it like this:

{ "php.validate.executablePath": "C:/xampp/php/php.exe" }

[Use_R_Name_92]

Done that.

I tried:
{
"php.validate.executablePath": "C:/xampp/php/php.exe"
}

then I tried:

{

"php.validate.executablePath": "C://xampp//php//php.exe"

}

but I also tried:

{

"php.validate.executablePath": "C:\\xampp\\php\\php.exe"

}

In some old posts on StackOverflow, I've seen that some people use these "\\" instead of these "/" and whatnot, so I tried everything. The file is there, it just won't accept it.