Install JSON PHP Extension on CentOs / RedHat

I had numerous requests for info and questions relating to JSON extension in CentOS. To enable these functions in RedHat and CentOs 5, the process is really simple and fast.

NOTE: As of PHP 5.2, json extension is now standard. If you’re running PHP 5.2 or later, or like to upgrade instead, you can skip this!

1. Ensure you have the necessary dependecies (php, php-pear, php-devel, gcc, make):
   • $ sudo yum install gcc make
   • $ sudo yum install php php-pear php-devel
2. Use PECL (P HP E xtension C ommunity L ibrary) to download the json package:
   • $ sudo pecl download json
3. Use PEAR (P HP E xtension and A pplication R epository) to extract and install the extension:
   • $ sudo pear install json-1.2.1.tgz
4. Create a file in /etc/php.d called “json.ini”, and add the following lines:
   • ; php-json extension
   • extension=json.so
5. Restart apache (gracefully if you’re running a live site:
   • $ sudo service httpd restart (apachectl graceful)
6. Check for availability by creating an info.php file in the web root with the following line:
   • <?php phpinfo(); ?>
7. Load info.php in your browser and check for JSON. You now should be all set, but if it doesn’t appear, verify all of the above steps very carefully.