How to Upgrade Your AppGini Application to Use MySQL 8.4

Introduction

As MySQL continues to improve with each version, upgrading from MySQL 8.0 (or older) to 8.4 can boost your AppGini application’s performance, security, and reliability. However, the upgrade process involves some essential steps to ensure compatibility between your PHP app, the MySQL 8.4 server, and the database schema. This guide explains the steps required to successfully upgrade your AppGini application to use MySQL 8.4.

Why Upgrade to MySQL 8.4?

MySQL 8.4 introduces several enhancements, including:

• Improved query performance.
• Stronger security features, including the caching_sha2_password authentication plugin.
• New SQL features and better JSON handling.

However, moving to MySQL 8.4 requires some attention, as older versions of PHP (below 7.4) do not support the caching_sha2_password plugin, which is the default authentication method in MySQL 8.4.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you meet the following requirements:

1. PHP Version:

   • At least PHP 7.4 is required, as older versions do not support the caching_sha2_password plugin.
   • For the best performance and security, we highly recommend upgrading to the latest PHP version (currently PHP 8.4).

2. PHP Extensions for AppGini:
   Ensure the following PHP extensions are installed and enabled:

   • gd: For image processing.
   • mysqli: For database connectivity.
   • imagick: For advanced image manipulation.
   • zip: For managing ZIP archives.

   Without these extensions, your AppGini application may not function properly.

3. Set your AppGini application into maintenance mode:

   • Before starting the upgrade, set your AppGini application into maintenance mode to prevent users from making changes during the upgrade process. You can do this by signing in as an admin and going to the Admin area then turning on the Maintenance mode option. This will prevent users from accessing the application while you perform the upgrade.

   

   • After the upgrade is complete, you can turn off the maintenance mode to allow users to access the application again.
   • If you’re no longer signed in as an admin after the upgrade, you can still manually turn off the maintenance mode by removing the .maintenance file from the admin folder of your AppGini application. This file is created when you turn on the maintenance mode and is used to prevent users from accessing the application.

4. Backup Your Application and Database:

   • Always back up your AppGini application files and MySQL database before making major changes.

5. Server Access:

   • You need administrative access to your server to upgrade PHP, MySQL, and make configuration changes.

Step 1: Upgrade Your PHP Version

1. Check Your Current PHP Version:
   Run the following command to check your PHP version:

   1

   php -v

2. Upgrade PHP to the Latest Version:
   Depending on your operating system, use the appropriate package manager to update PHP. For example, on Ubuntu:

   1 2 3

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php sudo apt update sudo apt install php8.4

3. Install Required PHP Extensions:
   Install the extensions required by AppGini:

   1	sudo apt install php8.4-gd php8.4-mysqli php8.4-imagick php8.4-zip

4. Restart Your Web Server:
   Restart your web server (e.g., Apache or Nginx) to apply the changes:

   1	sudo service apache2 restart

Step 2: Upgrade MySQL to Version 8.4

1. Check Your Current MySQL Version:
   Run the following command to check your MySQL version:

   1	mysql --version

2. Upgrade MySQL to 8.4:
   Follow your operating system’s documentation to upgrade MySQL. For example, on Ubuntu:

   1 2	sudo apt update sudo apt install mysql-server

   Ensure that the installed MySQL version is 8.4 by running:

   1	mysql --version

3. Secure Your MySQL Installation:
   Run the following command to secure your MySQL installation:

   1	sudo mysql_secure_installation

Step 3: Update Your MySQL User Authentication

1. Log in to MySQL as Root:

   1	mysql -u root -p

2. Check the Authentication Plugin for Your AppGini Database User:
   Run the following query to verify the authentication plugin used by your AppGini database user:

   1	SELECT user, host, plugin FROM mysql.user WHERE user = 'your_appgini_user';

   If the plugin is mysql_native_password, you need to update it to caching_sha2_password.

3. Update the Authentication Plugin:
   Run the following SQL command to switch the authentication plugin for your AppGini user:

   1	ALTER USER 'your_appgini_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED WITH 'caching_sha2_password' BY 'your_secure_password';

   Replace your_appgini_user with your database username and your_secure_password with a strong password.

4. Flush Privileges:
   Apply the changes immediately:

   1	FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Step 4: Test Your AppGini Application

1. Update Database Connection Settings:
   Open the config.php file in your AppGini application and verify that the database connection settings are correct. Pay special attention to:

   • Hostname.
   • Database name.
   • Username and password.

2. Test the Application:

   • Open your AppGini application in a browser and test all functionalities, such as adding, editing, and deleting records.
   • Look for errors related to database connections or queries.

3. Debugging:
   If you encounter issues, check your PHP error logs and MySQL error logs for details.

Conclusion

Upgrading your AppGini application to use MySQL 8.4 ensures that your system benefits from the latest features, improved performance, and enhanced security. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can make the transition smoothly and future-proof your application. Remember, always keep your PHP version up to date to maintain compatibility and security.

Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below!

Happy upgrading! 🚀