Caddy PHP FastCGI: Uncovering the Mysterious Case of Missing Server Script_Name

Introduction

Are you tired of banging your head against the wall, trying to figure out why Caddy PHP FastCGI isn’t providing the server script_name when using handle_path? You’re not alone! In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of Caddy, FastCGI, and PHP to uncover the secrets behind this frustrating issue. Buckle up, folks, and get ready to finally solve this maddening problem!

What is Caddy PHP FastCGI?

Caddy is a popular, open-source web server known for its simplicity, flexibility, and speed. When paired with PHP, Caddy can be configured to use FastCGI, a protocol that enables efficient communication between the web server and PHP. In a nutshell, FastCGI allows PHP to run as a separate process, boosting performance and scalability.

Why is Server Script_Name Important?

The server script_name is a crucial piece of information that tells PHP which script to execute. Without it, PHP won’t know what to do, and your beautiful website will be nothing more than a 404 page. The script_name is typically set by the web server and passed to PHP as an environment variable.

The Problem: Caddy PHP FastCGI and Missing Server Script_Name

So, why is it that when we use handle_path in our Caddy configuration file, the server script_name disappears into thin air? It’s as if Caddy and FastCGI are playing a game of hide-and-seek, and the script_name is the prize.

Let’s take a look at a simple Caddy configuration file that demonstrates this issue:

{
    debug
    http://localhost:8080 {
        root /var/www/html
        php_fastcgi unix//var/run/php/php7.4-fpm.sock
        handle_path /index.php {    
            php
        }
    }
}

In this example, we’re telling Caddy to use the FastCGI protocol to communicate with PHP. We’ve also defined a handle_path block that routes all requests to /index.php. Sounds simple, right?

However, when we inspect the PHP environment variables using the phpinfo() function, we’ll notice that the server script_name is nowhere to be found. This is because Caddy, by default, doesn’t pass the script_name when using handle_path.

The Solution: Uncovering the Secret to Server Script_Name

Fear not, dear reader, for we’re about to uncover the secret to retrieving the elusive server script_name.

Method 1: Using the `fastcgi_split_path_info` Directive

The first method involves using the `fastcgi_split_path_info` directive in our Caddy configuration file. This directive allows us to extract the script_name from the request URI.

{
    debug
    http://localhost:8080 {
        root /var/www/html
        php_fastcgi unix//var/run/php/php7.4-fpm.sock
        fastcgi_split_path_info ^(.+\.php)(/.*)$
        handle_path /index.php {    
            php
            fastcgi_param SCRIPT_NAME $1
        }
    }
}

In this example, we’re using a regular expression to capture the script_name from the request URI and storing it in the `$1` variable. We then pass this variable as the `SCRIPT_NAME` environment variable to PHP.

Method 2: Using the `cgiatsu` Plugin

The second method involves using the `cgiatsu` plugin, which provides a more elegant solution to our problem. This plugin allows us to manipulate the FastCGI environment variables with ease.

{
    debug
    http://localhost:8080 {
        root /var/www/html
        import cgiatsu
        php_fastcgi unix//var/run/php/php7.4-fpm.sock
        handle_path /index.php {    
            php
            cgiatsu set SCRIPT_NAME %{REQUEST_URI}
        }
    }
}

In this example, we’re using the `cgiatsu` plugin to set the `SCRIPT_NAME` environment variable to the value of `REQUEST_URI`. This ensures that the script_name is correctly passed to PHP.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the mysterious case of the missing server script_name has been solved! By using either the `fastcgi_split_path_info` directive or the `cgiatsu` plugin, we can successfully retrieve the script_name and pass it to PHP. Remember, a happy PHP is a PHP with a script_name!

Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot common issues with Caddy PHP FastCGI:

• Make sure to check the Caddy and PHP error logs for any hints about what’s going wrong.
• Verify that the PHP-FPM socket is correctly configured and listening.
• Use the `debug` directive in your Caddy configuration file to enable debug mode.
• Test your PHP scripts using a tool like `curl` or `wget` to ensure they’re functioning correctly.

Additional Resources

For more information on Caddy, FastCGI, and PHP, be sure to check out the following resources:

Resource	Description
Caddy Documentation	The official Caddy documentation, featuring tutorials, guides, and configuration examples.
PHP-FPM Documentation	The official PHP-FPM documentation, covering installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Caddy Wiki	The Caddy Wiki, featuring community-driven tutorials, plugins, and configuration examples.

We hope this article has helped you overcome the hurdle of missing server script_name in Caddy PHP FastCGI. Remember to stay calm, be patient, and always keep your Caddy configuration file tidy!

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