NinjaForge/Ninjaboard — Issue #62: NB 1.1.5 rev 2352 - PHP compatitibility issue.
Author: cquencer
Created: 2011-12-31 12:58:55+00:00
State: open
Labels: pending audit, priority

**Reported by @cquencer**

There is an issue with the menu items for Ninjaboard when running PHP 5.3.x on the server. When creating a menu item for Ninjaboard, there an error 500 - unknown application thrown. This mainly is the issue when installing a fresh installation of Ninjaboard but also happens in an existing installation when creating or editing a new or existing menu item for Ninjaboard.

This issue is reported from users at the forum but I also experienced it myself. First I thought it only happened on a local WAMPP or XAMP setup but yesterday I experienced this on my live server setup which is running in PHP 5.3.8 mode.

On a local WAMP or XAMPP setup the issue can be fixed by downgrading the PHP version to 5.2.x. However, downgrading on a live server can't be done easily unless your host will do it for you.

By default my host runs PHP 5.2.17, by modifying the .htaccess file (Joomla root) it's possible to run in PHP 5.3.8 mode which I applied because of server related permission issues.
When removing this modification from the .htaccess file, the server runs back to PHP 5.2.17 and Ninjaboard's menu items are behaving normal as it should.

My thoughts on this is that we have to test the PHP version compatibility for PHP version 5.3.x and higher.

**How to replicate**

- Live server:

Add the following code to the .htaccess file:

AddHandler x-httpd-php53 .php

- Local server:

Install/activated PHP version 5.3.x (in this case 5.3.8).

Beware that changing PHP versions on a local setup can screw up your current Joomla installation!!!
It's ** strongly recommended** to install a fresh Joomla install with a fresh database for this test purpose.

- Ninjaboard:

Install Ninjaboard or use existing installation.
Try to create or edit a menu item for Ninjaboard, choose Forum or Forums to replicate.

**Expected result**

A menu item for Ninjaboard should be created with it's default settings.

**Actual result**

An error 500 - Unknown Application is thrown.

**Extra Info**

Both topics are discussing this issue, you have to scroll down a fair bit because it's discussed half way.

http://ninjaforge.com/forum/topic/25657-help-needed-please/29968

http://ninjaforge.com/forum/topic/25660-problem-installing-ninjaboard-in-joomla15