CentOS

CentOS is a free, open-source, and community-supported Linux distribution that is functionally compatible with its upstream source, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). For PHP developers, experience with CentOS is a highly relevant and sought-after skill, as it has long been one of the most popular choices for hosting production web servers. Proficiency in CentOS indicates a developer is comfortable working in the environment where their PHP applications will ultimately run.

Why CentOS Matters for PHP Developers

A developer's ability to navigate and manage a CentOS server is crucial for backend development, deployment, and troubleshooting. This knowledge allows them to set up and configure the entire application stack, optimize server performance, and diagnose issues that extend beyond the PHP code itself. It is a foundational skill for anyone aspiring to a full-stack, backend, or DevOps role.

Essential Skills and Tasks

PHP developers working with CentOS are often responsible for:

• Server Setup: Installing and configuring a LEMP (Linux, Nginx, MySQL, PHP) or LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) stack.
• Package Management: Using the yum or dnf package manager to install and update software, including different versions of PHP and its extensions.
• Service Management: Using systemd to manage services like Nginx, Apache, PHP-FPM, and MySQL.
• Security: Configuring firewalls (firewalld, iptables) and managing file permissions to secure the server.
• Scripting: Writing Bash scripts to automate deployment, backups, and other administrative tasks.