What userid will my PHP and CGI scripts run under? Text Tutorial Print

The user ID (UID) under which your PHP and CGI scripts run depends on your web hosting environment and how the server is configured.

Here’s how it usually works:

 

 Shared Hosting (like 4GoodHosting)

On shared hosting environments like 4GoodHosting, your scripts generally run under:

🔹 Your Own User Account

• Both PHP and CGI scripts typically run as your hosting account’s user, not as the global nobody or apache user.

• This is achieved through server modules like:

  • suPHP (for PHP)

  • CGIwrap or suEXEC (for CGI scripts)

This setup ensures:

• Improved security – Scripts can’t interfere with other users.

• File ownership consistency – Uploaded files are owned by your user account.

 

🔹 How to Check the Running User

You can create and run a small test script to find out.

For PHP:

Create a file named whoami.php:

For CGI (Perl example):

Create a file whoami.cgi:

Make sure it’s in your cgi-bin, and has 755 permissions.

 

🛑 In Some Other Environments:

• If mod_php is used (less common now), scripts may run as nobody or apache.

• On dedicated/VPS servers, you have more control and can configure this.

 

✅ Summary:

If you’re using 4GoodHosting and need confirmation for your specific plan, I can guide you how to check or interpret cPanel server settings.