What are the system requirements for CodeIgniter?

CodeIgniter is a versatile PHP framework known for its minimal system requirements, making it compatible with a wide range of server environments. To run CodeIgniter successfully, you need a server or hosting environment that meets the following system requirements:

1. PHP Version: CodeIgniter primarily relies on PHP for its server-side scripting. You should have PHP installed on your server. CodeIgniter is compatible with PHP versions 7.2 and above, including PHP 8. The latest PHP version is recommended for security and performance reasons, but ensure your chosen version is within this range to guarantee compatibility.

2. Web Server: CodeIgniter can work with various web servers, including Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed, and more. You can choose the web server that best suits your project’s needs. Additionally, if you are running PHP using the built-in web server for development purposes, that’s also a viable option.

3. Database: CodeIgniter supports multiple database systems, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and Microsoft SQL Server. You should have one of these database management systems installed and properly configured to store and retrieve data for your application.

4. Other PHP Extensions: Depending on the features you plan to use in your CodeIgniter application, you may need specific PHP extensions. For example, if you want to use CodeIgniter’s Image Library for image manipulation, ensure the GD or ImageMagick extension is enabled in your PHP installation.

5. Operating System: CodeIgniter is platform-independent and can run on various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, and others. The choice of the operating system is flexible and depends on your hosting environment.

6. HTTPS: While not a strict requirement, it is highly recommended to use HTTPS to secure your CodeIgniter application, especially if it deals with sensitive data or user authentication. You can obtain SSL/TLS certificates from certificate authorities like Let’s Encrypt for free.

By ensuring your server environment meets these system requirements, you’ll be well-equipped to develop and deploy CodeIgniter web applications with ease. Always check for any additional requirements or recommendations in the CodeIgniter documentation and stay updated with the latest framework and server software updates for security and performance enhancements.