[FX.php List] Adding Libraries to FileMaker's Supplied PHP5 Environment

[Kevin M. Cunningham]

Hi all,

I've learned so much from this list, thank you all!

Now a quick question.

While I have happily learned many new techniques using PHP, I have 
been spoiled by always having the overall PHP environment given to me 
without my intervention. First it was Apple's 4.3 build. Now I have 
the PHP5 version installed by FileMaker on my webserver.

Recently I have been going beyond classes like FX.php and the FM API 
for PHP and looking at actual libraries (e.g., graphics libraries, 
particularly the GD library). The instructions for using these 
libraries typically say to recompile PHP and include the library in 
the initial build line, because these libraries actually add core 
functionality to PHP, they don't just simplify things by creating 
tidy code blocks.

Now, since I never compiled PHP myself -- FileMaker's version of 
PHP5, for instance, just magically appeared -- I'm not sure how I 
should go about rebuilding the library -- or even if it's necessary.

So, say I wanted to add the GD library to my FileMaker installation. 
What would I need to do? Is there a way to add it without rebuilding 
the whole thing? If I have to rebuild, will that put me out of sync 
with FileMaker's builds? And what is the rebuild command (does 
FileMaker provide source, or would I have to take over the whole PHP5 
build myself)? If I don't have to rebuild, how do I go about it?

Lots of questions, but of course I'm only driving at one core 
question: how do I go about adding PHP libraries to my PHP 
environment, yet stay in sync with FileMaker's provided environment 
(if that's even possible)?

Thanks very much!

--Kevin
-- 
Kevin M. Cunningham, M.Ed.
FileMaker 7/8 Certified Developer | FileMaker TechNet/FBA Member
(617) 229-5081 | kcunning at alum.mit.edu | www.kcunning.com