How can I use PHP to return a software version number?

Question

I am working on a project and part of the process is to check which version of software installed on the host server, specifically Git for this case. From the command line I can run git --version which would return something similar to:

git version 1.8.5.2 (Apple Git-48)

I can use the following code to return the value from the command.

<?php

$gitVersion = exec('git --version');

return $gitVersion;

?>

However, is there a more efficient way to have the output look like the following:

1.8.5.5

Not really, executing a shell command maybe for the best in this case. — Shahar
– Shahar, Commented Jul 21, 2014 at 1:10
Thank you, so is there a recommended way to strip everything except the numbers? Maybe using regex? — Jason M.
– Jason M., Commented Jul 21, 2014 at 1:13
Since git version has a fixed length, using substrings is probably easier. — Shahar
– Shahar, Commented Jul 21, 2014 at 1:18

James · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-21 01:14:16Z

1

<?php
    return shell_exec("git --version | awk '{print $3}'");
?>

answered Jul 21, 2014 at 1:14

James

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njasm · Accepted Answer · 2014-07-21 01:23:40Z

0

Use explode() and return the second index.

Example:

$parts = explode(' ', shell_exec('git --version'));
return $parts[2];

answered Jul 21, 2014 at 1:23

njasm

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