How to Install PhpStorm on Ubuntu 18.04

If you're looking for an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that can help you streamline your PHP development process, look no further than PhpStorm. In this article, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of installing PhpStorm on Ubuntu 18.04.

Before we begin, it's essential to note that PhpStorm is a commercial product, and while it offers a 30-day free trial, you may need to purchase a license to continue using it after the trial period ends.

Step 1: Uninstalling Previous Versions

If you've previously installed PhpStorm on your Ubuntu system, you'll need to uninstall it before installing the new version. To do this, simply delete the `/opt/phpstorm/` directory and all its subdirectories and files. This will remove any existing installation of PhpStorm from your system.

Step 2: Downloading and Extracting the Installation File

To install PhpStorm on Ubuntu 18.04, you'll need to download the tar archive from the official website. Once downloaded, open a terminal window and change your working directory to the location where you saved the file. Then, extract the contents of the tar archive using the following command:

`tar xvf PhpStorm-145.1616.3.tar.gz`

This will create a new folder called `PhpStorm-145.1616.3` in the current working directory.

Step 3: Moving the Installation Folder

It's recommended to move the `PhpStorm-145.1616.3` directory to `/opt/`. You can do this by using the following command:

`sudo mv PhpStorm-145.1616.3 /opt/phpstorm`

Step 4: Creating a Symlink

To create a symlink for PhpStorm, use the following command:

`sudo ln -s /opt/phpstorm/bin/phpstorm.sh /usr/local/bin/phpstorm`

This will allow you to launch PhpStorm from anywhere on your system by typing `phpstorm` in the terminal.

Step 5: Launching PhpStorm

Once you've completed these steps, you can start using PhpStorm. To do this, simply type `phpstorm` in the terminal and press Enter. This will launch the application.

Additional Steps for Installing Oracle Java 8

As PhpStorm is a Java-based application, you'll need to install Oracle Java 8 on your Ubuntu system before you can use it. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Add the PPA repository using the following command:

`sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java`

2. Remove OpenJDK using the following command:

`sudo apt-get remove openjdk*`

3. Install Oracle Java 8 using the following commands:

`sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-installer`

`sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-set-default`

4. Set the correct Java environment variables by running the following command:

`sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade`

Installing PhpStorm on Ubuntu 18.04 is a straightforward process that requires you to download and extract the installation file, move the installation folder, create a symlink, and launch the application. Additionally, if you're installing Oracle Java 8 for the first time, you'll need to follow some additional steps to get everything set up correctly.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install PhpStorm on your Ubuntu 18.04 system and start using it to streamline your PHP development process.

Install phpstorm ubuntu 18.04