Success Case: Installing Required Packages for osCommerce 4 on Debian

A user was installing osCommerce 4 on a Debian 11.5.0 system but encountered some missing dependencies. They managed to resolve several issues but struggled with three remaining errors: a MySQL database issue, missing GD image module, and the Intl internationalization PHP module.

The Question: “I’m installing osCommerce 4 on Debian 11.5.0. While most dependencies are working, the pre-install screen says my MySQL database isn’t working, and I’m missing the GD image and Intl PHP modules. What am I missing, and do I need to create the database before the installation?”

Our Response: The osCommerce support team provided a clear and step-by-step response:

MySQL Database Error: The likely cause of this error is that the mysql PHP extension wasn’t installed. This extension is required for osCommerce to communicate with the MySQL/MariaDB database.
Database Creation: Yes, the database needs to be created before or during the osCommerce installation. It becomes essential during step 3 of the install process.
Missing Image and Intl PHP Modules: These are standard PHP extensions. We provided links to the official PHP documentation for each:

This success story highlights the importance of ensuring all necessary PHP extensions are installed when setting up osCommerce on a server. Our support team quickly identified the missing components and provided resources, enabling the user to proceed with a smooth installation.