[arch-general] PHP - libphp5.so, OR php-fpm and mod_proxy_fcgi, OR php5 with apache2-mpm-worker and mod_fcgid

[David C. Rankin]

All,

   When I last loaded a full server install in 2013, at that time, the use of 
libphp5.so was discouraged by the wiki, indicating that path was likely to be 
deprecated. The wiki suggested an alternate install using php-fpm and 
mod_proxy_fcgi, or php5 with apache2-mpm-worker and mod_fcgid as the preferred 
approaches for PHP.

   Fast forward 2-years, a failed disk controller and a new server build in 
2015. Configuring PHP, I was surprised to find libphp5.so still an option, much 
less the first option suggested in the wiki. What happened?

   What is the proper-suggested PHP configuration? Is libphp5.so still on its 
way out? (there is no indication this is still the case). I have a relatively 
lightly used web-server, so the use of mod_mpm_prefork and loss of threading is 
not an issue with my setup.

   Why would I choose either php-fpm and mod_proxy_fcgi, or php5 with 
apache2-mpm-worker and mod_fcgid as an alternative to libphp5.so for my PHP 
config on Arch?

   I'm trying to find out what the trade-offs are and whether it would make 
sense to use one way over another. Ideas?

-- 
David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E.