Lick My Design

After struggling with this basic task each time I need to debug a new project, I’ve written this guide for my specific environment; debugging a PHP website using XDebug and PHPStorm.

Server Settings

First on the webserver (in my case a seperate CentOs box):

[CONFIRM: May need to install xdebug with:

# pecl install xdebug

and add line:

zend_extension = /usr/lib/php/modules/xdebug.so

to php.ini ]

Connect with FTP, edit the file: /etc/php.d/xdebug.ini

Make sure your local computer is set as a remote host (fully qualified dell-xxxx.domain):

xdebug.idekey="PHPSTORM"
xdebug.remote_enable=1
xdebug.profiler_enable_trigger=1
xdebug.remote_host="dell-xxxxx.domain"
xdebug.remote_port=9000
xdebug.remote_mode=req

Next, connect with PuTTy and restart the http service:

service httpd restart

PHPStorm

Open PHPStorm (4.0.3), File -> Settings, under PHP -> Debug my settings are as follows:

Click the link indicated to setup your browser…

Browser

In my case chrome opens up with the Zend or XDEbug options – I chose xdebug and dragged the “Start debugger”, “Stop debugger” and “Debug this page” links to my quicklinks bar. You should also see a new bug icon to the right of the address bar (may need to restart the browser):

Back to PHPStorm…

PHPStorm Cont…

Next under File -> Settings -> PHP -> Debug -> DBGp Proxy set the following:

(I know the port is different – but it still works?!)

Next click the red phone icon to start Listen Debug Connections, set a breakpoint in a file, then back in your browser refresh the page.

If all has gone to plan, PHPStorm should spring to life showing the debug information: