Guide to setting up macports LAMP stack with PHP 5.3 and 5.4 available to switch out depending on needs.

PHP 5.4, 5.3 setup via Macports

##Given
Apache 2 and MySQL are already installed.

#Update MacPorts
    sudo port selfupdate;sudo port -u upgrade outdated

#Install PHP 5.4.*
    sudo port install php54 php54-apache2handler
##Activate Apache Module 
    cd /opt/local/apache2/modules
    sudo /opt/local/apache2/bin/apxs -a -e -n php5 mod_php54.so
##Install your needed extensions
    sudo port install php54-curl php55-posix php54-ftp php54-iconv php54-mbstring php54-mcrypt php54-mysql php54-openssl php54-soap php54-sqlite php54-xsl php54-zip php54-gd php54-imagick php54-gettext php54-memcache php54-memcached php54-geoip
#Install PHP 5.3.*
    sudo port install php53 php53-apache2handler
##Install your needed extensions
    sudo port install php53-curl php53-ftp php53-iconv php53-mbstring php53-mcrypt php53-mysql php53-openssl php53-soap php53-sqlite php53-xsl php53-zip php53-gd php53-imagick php53-gettext php53-memcache php53-memcached php53-geoip
#Activate PHP 5.4.*
    sudo port select php php54
#Fall back to PHP 5.3.* when required
    sudo port select php php53
The *current* php_select doesn't change the **LoadModule** directive in your http.conf so you might have to change the version by hand (and restart your Apache).



//i generally ignore this part

#Install PEAR
    cd #
    curl http://pear.php.net/go-pear.phar -o go-pear.phar
    sudo php go-pear.phar
Modify the PEAR install process to your needs; mine were the following:

    1. Installation base ($prefix) : /opt/local/lib/php54
    ...
    4. Binaries directory          : /opt/local/bin
    ...
##Check the PEAR installation, cleanup and install your favourite packages 

    pear info pear && rm go-pear.phar
    sudo pear config-set auto_discover 1; sudo pear install pear.phpunit.de/PHPUnit
    ...