How to access PHP with the Command Line on Windows?

Question

I am trying to learn how to access PHP scripts from the command line (CLI)

Below is an image from my attempt, please help. I am running Windows 7

Answer 1

You need to add your PHP installation directory to the %PATH% environment variable, or work from the PHP installation directory.

To add it to path (The best approach - Edited for Windows 7):

• Right-click on a My Computer icon
• Click Properties
• Click Advanced system settings from the left nav
• Click Advanced tab
• Click Environment Variables button
• In the System Variables section, select Path (case-insensitive) and click Edit button
• Add a semi-colon (;) to the end of the string, then add the full file system path of your PHP installation (e.g. C:\Program Files\PHP)
• Keep clicking OK etc until all dialog boxes have disappeared
• Close your command prompt and open it again
• Sorted

Alternatively, you can run cd <PHP installation path> before you try and run you command, or call your script like <FULL file system path of php.exe> <path to script>