Introduction

If you are running PHP 7+ on a production server then you want to enable PHP’s opcache.  Your PHP applications will receive a well deserved speed boost.

Configure PHP

This configuration example is being done on Ubuntu 18.04.  Only mod_php for Apache will have the opcache enabled.

The php.ini file has all the settings commented out.  So for Ubuntu copy the following and paste it at the end of /etc/php/7.2/apache2/php.ini

[opcache]
opcache.enable=1
opcache.validate_timestamps=1
opcache.revalidate_freq=60
opcache.memory_consumption=192
opcache.max_accelerated_files=20000
opcache.interned_strings_buffer=16
opcache.use_cwd=1
opcache.fast_shutdown=1

Now restart apache.
> systemctl restart apache2.service

Install an Opcache Status PHP Script (Optional)

If you want to see how your opcache is doing then this script will help you out.

Download the php file:
> wget https://raw.github.com/rlerdorf/opcache-status/master/opcache.php

Now copy the file into your web directory.  You can create an htaccess file limiting access to the script.

Conclusion

PHP 7’s opcache is a wonderful improvement.  Enable it.  You won’t be disappointed.