Environment Options

This dialog box allows you to configure global options for customizing ExeOutput for PHP, default settings for new projects, and various other properties. You can access the Environment Options dialog box by selecting the “Environment Options” menu command from the Application menu:

General Options #

• Create a file backup when an HTML page is modified: If you edit a PHP or HTML file using the internal HTML editor, ExeOutput for PHP can back up the original file before saving changes. The backup filename will be the same, but with a ~ character in the extension (e.g., .htm becomes .~htm). This is recommended.

• Directly add files to application using the relative path: When new files are added (manually or using the Source File List Update operation), ExeOutput for PHP can prompt you to specify the application virtual path for these files, or automatically find and use the best virtual path. This option disables the prompt and lets ExeOutput for PHP automatically determine the virtual paths. However, this is not recommended, as it is better to monitor how files are accessed in the application at runtime.

• Archive cache: This option enhances the archive caching feature by comparing file date-times during compilation. ExeOutput for PHP only recompresses files if they have been modified or if the source file lists have been updated. If this option is enabled, it stores the file date-times during the initial compression. For subsequent builds, it then compares the current file date-times with the stored ones. If any pair differs, all source files will be recompressed. This option is highly recommended.

• Do not show Windows notifications after build: ExeOutput for PHP displays a system notification when a build finishes. Enable this option to suppress that behavior.

• Clear CEF and PHP runtimes cache: To speed up compilation, Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF) and PHP Runtime files are compressed once and stored in ExeOutput for PHP’s cache for reuse. If source files are modified, you must clear the cache.

• Custom Temporary Folder: Allows you to specify a custom location for temporary files created during compilation (for compression and caching). Using a fast drive, such as a RAM disk, for this folder can improve performance.

• Manage Update Checks: Allows you to start the Web Update utility or configure automatic update checks.

Appearance #

The Appearance page allows you to select the desired theme for the ExeOutput for PHP interface, ensuring the application’s look and feel align with your preferences.

Available Themes #

• Light Silver (Default): By default, the Light Silver theme is selected, offering a clean and modern appearance.

• Windows Default: The Windows Default theme ensures that all controls adopt the native styles of the operating system without additional customization. This theme is particularly beneficial if you intend to leverage Windows’ accessibility features, such as high-contrast themes. When a user activates a high-contrast theme in their operating system, ExeOutput will automatically switch to the Windows Default theme to maintain compatibility and ensure optimal accessibility.

Default Settings #

These settings are used each time you start a new project.

• Author Name: Your full name.
• Company Name: Enter your company name.
• Web Homepage: Enter the URL of your website.
• Default Copyright: Enter the default copyright information for your packages.

Default Files #

These files are used each time you start a new project.

Note: The default language file must exist. If it is not found, ExeOutput for PHP will attempt to use the one in its program folder. If that also does not exist, an error will occur.

Source File List Update #

Additional options for the Source File List Update operation.

• Automatically remove non-existing files: When enabled, ExeOutput for PHP automatically removes missing files from source file lists (a file is considered missing if it is not found on the hard disk at its expected location). Otherwise, you will be prompted. Note that this will also remove the properties associated with the file, but not any potential references.

• Monitor the source folder for changes: If enabled, ExeOutput for PHP will use Windows Shell extensions to monitor for changes to files in the source folder and its subdirectories. If changes are detected, the entire file lists will be rebuilt (and the File Manager refreshed). If disabled, file lists are updated only when a Source File List Update operation occurs.

• Perform a file list update when a project is loaded: The source folder will be scanned for changes, and file lists will be refreshed as soon as the project is loaded.

• Perform a file list update when a project is compiled: The source folder will be scanned for changes, and file lists will be refreshed just before the application compilation begins.

Exclude Files #

For the Source File List Update operation.

You can exclude files based on their file extension, such as executables, projects, backups, and other file types. Just add the desired extension(s) to the list. Wildcards are supported.

Notes:

1. You should exclude all files associated with ExeOutput for PHP: projects (.exop), languages (.exol), backups (.bak and .~*), skins (.skn), etc.

2. To exclude a single file from compilation, you can set this in the File Properties dialog box.

Code Signing #

This page contains options related to code signing; please refer to the dedicated code signing topic.

The code signing utility used by ExeOutput for PHP requires an internet connection to timestamp the application’s signature. It will use the two defined URLs to contact the timestamp servers.

Two timestamp servers are used: an Authenticode-compatible server and an RFC-3161-compatible server. You can configure their URLs or use the default ones provided by ExeOutput for PHP by clicking the buttons next to the fields.