How to use the command 'psysh' (with examples)

Psysh is a runtime developer console, interactive debugger, and REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) for PHP. It allows developers to have a real-time PHP shell environment, which can be very helpful for debugging and testing code.

Use case 1: Open a shell in the current directory

Code:

psysh

Motivation:

By running psysh in the current directory, a developer can open a shell that is directly connected to the PHP runtime. This allows for quick testing and interactive exploration of PHP code, without the need to write and execute a separate PHP script.

Explanation:

• psysh: This is the command to start the Psysh shell.

Example output:

Psy Shell v0.10.6 (PHP 7.4.3 — cli) by Justin Hileman
>>> 

Use case 2: Open a shell in a specific directory

Code:

psysh --cwd path/to/directory

Motivation:

Sometimes it is necessary to open a shell in a specific directory to work with the PHP files in that location. This can be helpful when diagnosing and debugging issues that are specific to certain parts of a project.

Explanation:

• psysh: This is the command to start the Psysh shell.
• --cwd path/to/directory: The --cwd option specifies the directory in which the shell should be opened.

Example output:

Psy Shell v0.10.6 (PHP 7.4.3 — cli) by Justin Hileman
>>> 

Use case 3: Use a specific configuration file

Code:

psysh --config path/to/file

Motivation:

In some cases, developers may want to use a custom configuration file for their Psysh shell. This allows for personalization of the Psysh environment, such as setting up custom aliases, customizing the prompt, or adding additional functionality.

Explanation:

• psysh: This is the command to start the Psysh shell.
• --config path/to/file: The --config option specifies the path to the custom configuration file to be used.

Example output:

Psy Shell v0.10.6 (PHP 7.4.3 — cli) by Justin Hileman
>>> 

Conclusion:

Psysh is a powerful tool for PHP developers that provides a real-time shell environment. It can be used in the current directory, a specific directory, or with a custom configuration file. These features make Psysh a versatile tool for debugging, testing, and interactive exploration of PHP code.