Current Location: Home> Latest Articles> Why Can't the Log File Be Written When Using mysqli::debug? How to Resolve Permission Issues?

Why Can't the Log File Be Written When Using mysqli::debug? How to Resolve Permission Issues?

M66 2025-06-12

When debugging databases using PHP’s mysqli extension, the mysqli::debug function can write debug information to a specified log file, making it easier for developers to troubleshoot issues. However, many developers face problems where the log file cannot be written when using mysqli::debug. This article will analyze the reasons for this issue in detail and provide effective solutions for permission problems.

1. What is mysqli::debug?

mysqli::debug is a debugging tool provided by the mysqli extension that writes MySQL debug information to a log file. The typical usage is:

mysqli::debug("d:t:o:/path/to/logfile.log");

The parameter format d:t:o: specifies the debug mode and the log output location.

2. Common Reasons Why the Log File Cannot Be Written

When running mysqli::debug("d:t:o:/var/log/mysqli_debug.log"); but the log file is not written, the main cause is usually permission issues, including:

  • Insufficient file permissions: The user running the PHP process (such as www-data, apache, etc.) lacks write permissions to the log file or its directory.

  • Directory does not exist or lacks permissions: The specified log file directory does not exist, or directory permissions prevent file creation and writing.

  • SELinux or security module restrictions: On systems with security modules enabled (such as SELinux, AppArmor), PHP’s access to the specified directory may be restricted.

  • Incorrect path: The log file path is incorrect or misspelled, causing the log file location to be unreachable.

3. How to Check and Resolve Permission Issues?

Here we use a Linux server as an example to explain solutions:

3.1 Check Log File and Directory Permissions

Assuming the log file path is /var/log/mysqli_debug.log:

ls -l /var/log/mysqli_debug.log
ls -ld /var/log/
  • Confirm the /var/log/mysqli_debug.log file exists and is writable, or confirm the /var/log/ directory allows file creation.

  • The PHP process usually runs under users like www-data, apache, or nginx. You can check by running ps aux | grep php.

3.2 Modify File or Directory Permissions

If the log file doesn’t exist, create it manually first:

sudo touch /var/log/mysqli_debug.log
sudo chown www-data:www-data /var/log/mysqli_debug.log
sudo chmod 664 /var/log/mysqli_debug.log

To allow PHP to create log files within the directory:

sudo chown www-data:www-data /var/log/
sudo chmod 775 /var/log/

Note: Be cautious when changing permissions to avoid security risks.

3.3 Choose an Appropriate Log File Path

The /var/log/ directory is a system directory with strict permissions. It is recommended to place the log file in a directory where the web server has write permissions, such as a logs folder inside your project directory:

mysqli::debug("d:t:o:/var/www/html/project/logs/mysqli_debug.log");

Make sure the directory and log file have the correct permissions.

4. Example Code

Below is a simplified example demonstrating how to enable mysqli::debug and specify a log path:

<?php
// Enable mysqli debugging, write logs to the project’s logs directory
mysqli::debug("d:t:o:/var/www/html/project/logs/m66.net_mysqli_debug.log");
<p>// Connect to the database<br>
$mysqli = new mysqli("m66.net", "user", "password", "database");</p>
<p>if ($mysqli->connect_error) {<br>
die("Connection failed: " . $mysqli->connect_error);<br>
}</p>
<p>echo "Connection successful";</p>
<p>// Close connection<br>
$mysqli->close();<br>
?><br>

Make sure the /var/www/html/project/logs/ directory exists and PHP has write permissions.


5. Summary

  • mysqli::debug failing to write logs is most commonly caused by insufficient permissions.

  • Confirm that the log file and directory exist and are writable by the PHP process user.

  • Place log files in non-system sensitive directories for easier permission management.

  • If security modules like SELinux are enabled on the server, additional configuration is needed to allow write permissions.

By properly configuring permissions, developers can effectively use mysqli::debug to record debug information, enabling more efficient troubleshooting and resolution of database-related issues.