How can I set the PHP version in PHPStorm?

Question

Is it possible to set the PHP version value, say 4.0+ and have PHPStorm highlight functions that wouldn't work with the oldest version? For example, for PHP4 this should highlight static function etc. I have a PHP installation on my PC but I don't want to install an older PHP version for every small script I have to produce.

Thanks

Why would it highlight `__construct()`? It's a perfectly valid function identifier in PHP4, it's just not being called as a constructor. — Mchl, Nov 08 '10 at 09:33
static was avaialbe in PHP4 as well IIRC. Try `abstract` or use of visibility modifiers `public`,`protected`,`private`. Anyway, writing OO code that's supposed to work under PHP4 as well as PHP5 is a nonsensical task IMO. The object model differs too much between the two. — Mchl, Nov 08 '10 at 10:55

score 256 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 19 '20 at 13:04

256

So, you mean to highlight all pieces of code that will not work with the PHP version you are writing it in, right? That can be done here:

Preferences -> Languages & Frameworks > PHP

and the same on Mac:

PhpStorm -> Preferences (⌘,) -> Languages & Frameworks > PHP

Or with newer versions of PhpStorm in Windows:

File -> Settings -> Languages & Frameworks > PHP

then select your PHP version, for example, 7.0

This is very useful when your local system runs PHP 7.0, for example, but production is running PHP 5.5.

That way PhpStorm will warn you which parts will not work in production, show proper hints during writing code according to the selected version, etc.

edited Aug 19 '20 at 13:04

biesior

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answered Sep 10 '14 at 10:08

Alejandro Moreno

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What version do you use? I don't have that option in mine. – Fluffy Sep 10 '14 at 10:21
Sorry, I should have specified that: 7.1.3 – Alejandro Moreno Sep 10 '14 at 10:58
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Can we do this per project or is this only "global"? – ryanwinchester Feb 02 '15 at 18:09
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For the current version of PhpStorm: ```PhpStorm 2016.3.2```. It should be ```File -> Settings -> Languages & Frameworks -> PHP```. – thoroc Jan 11 '17 at 15:19
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and do not forget, if you got old phpstrorm(for example 2018.x) you will not see a 7.4 in *PHP language level* ! – Vladimir Ch Apr 29 '20 at 14:49
@ryanwinchester - To do it globally, then go to "File" >> "Preferences for new projects" and set it up in there as you'd like. – Zeth Jan 23 '21 at 12:34

Shay Altman · Answer 2 · 2018-10-03T08:29:48.327

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In case your field is disabled.

Probably your settings "Synchronize IDE settings with composer.json" is enabled

You may change your PHP version in composer.json file

"require": {
    "php": ">=7.1.0",
}

OR disable your settings in this path

File -> Settings -> Languages & Frameworks > PHP > Composer

*If you change your composer.json file - As Félix Gagnon-Grenier commented, Keep in mind it has effects on the way packages will be required later

edited Oct 03 '18 at 08:29

answered Apr 02 '18 at 07:33

Shay Altman

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This answer is not really accurate. Doing that will change the language level if (and only if) the "synchronise with composer" option is checked. Moreover, it has effects on the way packages will be required later. – Félix Adriyel Gagnon-Grenier Apr 05 '18 at 13:58
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It helped me understanding why the PHP language level selection was disabled. – sglessard Mar 21 '19 at 18:07
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This was Really helpful – Nixon Kosgei May 11 '19 at 17:33
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In my case phpstorm was looking to another composer.json so I changed it and problem was solved. Thanks! – Akmal May 27 '19 at 06:48
Why is PhpStorm not using `config.platform.php` for this? – HEYDANNY Jun 30 '23 at 10:05

score 24 · Answer 3 · edited Jun 02 '20 at 10:54

24

You can use Alejandro Moreno's answer, but sometimes you might not be able to change PHP level from closed dropdown.

You can disable "Synchronize IDE settings with composer.json" checkbox from:

File -> Setting -> Languages & Frameworks -> PHP -> Composer

And after applying again open

File -> Settings -> Languages & Frameworks -> PHP

Here You can change PHP level from opened dropdown.

edited Jun 02 '20 at 10:54

Saeed

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answered Jul 07 '18 at 10:00

boolfalse

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score 22 · Answer 4 · edited Jan 16 '18 at 12:03

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Open the Settings dialog box by choosing File | Settings, then click PHP under Languages & Frameworks. The PHP page opens.

Now you can do 2 things:

On the PHP page that opens you can set the "PHP Language Level".
You can install the PHP version that you wish locally by, for example, installing packages like wamp or xamp and then set the interpreter of your PHP on the PHP page that you opened. More info here

edited Jan 16 '18 at 12:03

Burgi

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answered Aug 13 '15 at 06:42

Salar

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Could you see that is setting 'For current project'? How can I update it for Global (all projects)? – Vuong Mar 08 '18 at 07:43

score 5 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 10 '19 at 10:31

5

My composer PHP version is synchronized to the phpstorm , so to explicitly choose the php language level from the setting, check that the option in the picture bellow is disabled.

answered Dec 10 '19 at 10:31

Yassine CHABLI

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score 4 · Answer 6 · edited Jun 02 '20 at 10:44

4

You can set this per project, as outlined by @Alejandro Moreno.

There is also a global setting, that allows you to set the PHP Language Level for all NEW projects.

File --> Preferences for New Projects --> Languages & Frameworks --> PHP

Here you can set the desired level for all future projects :-)

edited Jun 02 '20 at 10:44

Saeed

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answered Sep 12 '18 at 14:11

MrG

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score 2 · Answer 7 · answered Oct 22 '17 at 03:55

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answered Oct 22 '17 at 03:55

des1roer

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score 2 · Answer 8 · answered Jun 27 '18 at 14:26

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On Mac, it is under PHPStorm, Preferences, Languages & Frameworks, PHP

answered Jun 27 '18 at 14:26

Apps-n-Add-Ons

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score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Feb 20 '20 at 08:15

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just like @mohammed my composer PHP version was synchronized to my phpstorm. so all i did was to update my composer.json php version number and it affected the whole project.

dont forget to composer update and php artisan config:clear

happy coding!

answered Feb 20 '20 at 08:15

The Billionaire Guy

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How can I set the PHP version in PHPStorm?

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