Doubly Active PHP

[bernard.remacle at icloud.com]

Good day Jim,

> Only two PHP8* ports? That's nothing! I have 8 Python* ports installed!
> 
> Seriously, it is common in macports to have distinct ports or subports 
> for different versions of software where users might want to keep 
> multiple versions on hand for easy use.
> 
> The `port select` command lets you switch between these versioned ports. 
> Type `port help select` in your shell to find out more.
> 
> Unfortunately, I do not see it described in the MacPorts Guide 
> <https://guide.macports.org/> or the MacPorts wiki 
> <https://trac.macports.org/search?q=%22port+select%22&noquickjump=1&wiki=on>. 
> 
> 
> Does this answer your question?
> 
> ??? ?Jim DeLaHunt

Your answer has eased my concern now. Thank you very much.
I do use ‘port select’ and my primary implementation is with the most recent version ‘php83’.

How does the ‘port’ software decide on deactivation of the older version? Is it perhaps done on the basis of some usage algorithm?

Why is it that php82-gd is installed but not php83-gd?
And the same with php82-mcrypt vs. php83-mycrypt, the same also with php82-openssl vs. php83-openssl, the same also with php82-zip vs. php83-zip?

On the other hand, the reverse happens with the following:
 php83-apache2handler @8.3.11_0 (active)
 php83-curl @8.3.11_0 (active)
 php83-exif @8.3.11_0 (active)
 php83-iconv @8.3.11_0 (active)
 php83-imagick @3.7.0_1 (active)
 php83-pspell @8.3.11_0 (active)

None of the corresponding php82 subports are installed. Why this asymmetry?

Or is this haphazard installation of ports/subports not unusual? 

— bernard