HTTP Server in C++ with PHP Integration

This repository contains implementations of an HTTP server for both Linux (WSL) and Windows environments. The server serves static files and handles PHP scripts, supporting various HTTP methods.

Table of Contents

• Features
• Prerequisites
• Linux Version (WSL)
  • Compilation
  • Usage
  • Customization
• Windows Version
  • Compilation
  • Usage
  • Customization
• Contributing
• License

Features

• Static File Serving: Serve HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, etc., from a designated directory (./www by default).
• PHP Integration: Execute PHP scripts via PHP CGI (/usr/bin/php-cgi{Linux[WSL]} and :\php\php-cgi.exe[Windows] path adjustable).
• HTTP Methods Supported: GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS, COPY, LINK, UNLINK, PURGE, LOCK, UNLOCK, PROPFIND, VIEW.
• HTTP Response Handling: Proper status codes and content types for different file types and methods.
• Multi-threaded Handling: Handles multiple client connections concurrently using C++ threads.

Prerequisites

• Linux Version (WSL):

  • Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
  • C++ compiler compatible with C++23

• Windows Version:

  • Visual Studio Code (for Windows version codebase)
  • MinGW (for compilation on Windows)
  • C++ version: C++23, adjust in your code editor configuration

Linux Version (WSL)

Compilation

1. Open a WSL terminal or Linux terminal

   # bash for example

2. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/aashishbishow/http_servers.git

3. Navigate to Linux folder:

   cd http_servers/Linux

4. Open in a Code editor:

   code . 
   # for vs code

5. Do the necessary configuration:

   • Read Customization

6. Compile the Server:

   g++ -std=c++2b -o server http.cpp -pthread

7. Run the Server:

   ./server

Usage

By default, the server listens on port 8080.

• Type localhost in your browser's address bar and hit enter for default index.html.
• Type localhost:8080/path_to_your_file in your browser's address bar and hit enter for your specific file.

Accessing Content:

• Place your static files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, etc.) in the ./www directory.
• PHP scripts can be placed alongside static files with the .php extension.

Customization:

• Adjust PORT, BUFFER_SIZE, WEB_ROOT, and PHP_CGI in http.cpp as per your requirements.

Windows Version

Compilation

1. Open a command prompt or terminal(Powershell)

    # for example

2. Clone the Repository:

   git clone https://github.com/aashishbishow/http_servers.git

3. Navigate to Windows folder:

   cd http_servers/Linux

4. Open in a Code editor:

   code .
   # for vs code

5. Do the necessary configuration:

   • Read Customization

6. Compile the Server:

   g++ -std=c++2b -o server.exe http.cpp -lws2_32

7. Run the Server:

   ./server
   

Usage

By default, the server listens on port 8080.

• Type localhost in your browser's address bar and hit enter to view the default index.html.
• Type localhost:8080/path_to_your_file in your browser's address bar and hit enter to access a specific file in ./www.

Accessing Content

• Place your static files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, etc.) in the ./www directory.
• PHP scripts can be placed alongside static files with the .php extension.

Customization

• Adjust PORT, BUFFER_SIZE, WEB_ROOT, and PHP_CGI in server.cpp as per your requirements.

Contributing

Feel free to fork this repository, make improvements, and submit pull requests. Contributions are welcome!

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for details.