php apache or php cgi - php learner
 

I am a bit confused concerning PHP options, either as Apache module or as CGI module. In practical terms, what's the major difference?

I am testing a site and I probably need both (if I understand properly) for different applications although in production these applications will run on different machines. For this testing, do I need to install a second version of Apache?

Any hint welcome.

I don't think there is a reason why would you ever had to use php as cgi when you have it as a module.
If you need to run php scripts from outside apache, you will need the cli (command-line) version, which I think is always built (even if you build an apache module) and installed into /usr/local/bin/php.

PHP as an apache module runs as the same user that apache does.

PHP as a cgi will run as the user of the SuexecUserGroup of the virtualhost, if it exists.

-Corey

Thank you all, your answers lift a bit of fog on the subject, I know now I can keep using it as-is (Apache module).