HHVM, or HipHop Virtual Machine, is an open-source virtual machine designed for executing programs written in Hack and PHP. While it was initially developed by Facebook to boost PHP performance, some users might find the need to uninstall it from their Ubuntu systems, perhaps due to compatibility issues or a shift in development strategy.
In this guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of uninstalling HHVM from your Ubuntu server.
Let’s get started.
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Before making any significant changes to your system, it’s always a good practice to back up any important data. This ensures that you can restore your system to its previous state in case anything goes wrong.
Step 2: Stop the HHVM Service
Before uninstalling HHVM, ensure that the service is stopped.
sudo systemctl stop hhvm
Step 3: Remove HHVM Packages
Now, you can proceed to remove the HHVM packages from your system.
sudo apt-get purge hhvm
This command will remove HHVM and its associated configurations.
Step 4: Remove HHVM Repository
If you added the HHVM repository during installation, it’s a good idea to remove it.
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:hhvm-dev/hhvm
Step 5: Clean Up and Update
After removing HHVM, it’s a good practice to clean up any unnecessary packages and update the package database.
sudo apt-get autoremove sudo apt-get update
Commands Mentioned
- sudo systemctl stop hhvm – Stops the HHVM service.
- sudo apt-get purge hhvm – Removes HHVM and its configurations.
- sudo add-apt-repository –remove ppa:hhvm-dev/hhvm – Removes the HHVM repository.
- sudo apt-get autoremove – Cleans up unnecessary packages.
- sudo apt-get update – Updates the package database.
FAQ
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Why might someone want to uninstall HHVM?
One might want to uninstall HHVM due to compatibility issues, a shift in development strategy, or the preference for another PHP execution method.
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Is it necessary to stop the HHVM service before uninstalling?
Yes, it’s recommended to stop the HHVM service to ensure a smooth uninstallation process without any interruptions.
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What does the ‘autoremove’ command do?
‘autoremove’ cleans up any unnecessary packages that were installed as dependencies but are no longer needed.
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Can I reinstall HHVM after uninstalling it?
Yes, you can reinstall HHVM anytime after uninstalling it by following the installation procedures.
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Is there an alternative to HHVM for executing PHP?
Yes, the most common alternative to HHVM is the standard PHP-FPM (FastCGI Process Manager) used in conjunction with web servers like Apache or Nginx.
Conclusion
Uninstalling HHVM from your Ubuntu system is a straightforward process when you follow the steps outlined in this guide. Always remember to back up your data before making significant changes to your system.
Whether you’re moving to a different PHP execution method or addressing compatibility issues, it’s essential to ensure that your server environment aligns with your development and operational needs.
If you’re exploring other hosting solutions or want to understand more about different server types, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive guides on dedicated server, VPS server, cloud hosting, and shared hosting.
