How to get my php to the latest 5.3.0?

The latest stable version from the Debian package team is 5.2.6-lenny3, so to get a PHP newer than that, you'll have to move into testing, unstable or experimental territory.

http://packages.debian.org/search?keywo … ection=all">http://packages.debian.org/search?keywords=php5&searchon=names&suite=all§ion=all

Just edit your sources.list and replace the word "stable" with "testing", which is the development stage right before "stable".

Keep in mind, there's a reason PHP is only 5.2.6 in Debian right now.

They're testing 5.3. While it may have no problems or bugs, it isn't certified stable yet.

That's one reason to pick Debian. They're very slow to introduce new versions of software. Everything gets tested and is ensured to be stable.

If there's no need to use a new feature from php 5.3, I'd just stick with the version Debian provides.

@NeonNero:

Just edit your sources.list and replace the word "stable" with "testing", which is the development stage right before "stable".

You don't want to just jump your whole server to testing or unstable. Use apt-pinning and /etc/apt/preferences to handle testing and unstable packages without upgrading every package on the server; then just apt-get -t testing install php5.3

Thanks you all! That's absolutely a good lesson!

I'll keep your wise words in mind! :)

Package pinning is a whole cluster in itself.

You have a pressing need for goto or something?

~JW

Persistent mysqli connections using the new native mysql library