How to Install LimeSurvey on Void Linux

LimeSurvey is an open-source survey tool that allows users to create and distribute online surveys. If you’re a Void Linux user and are looking to install LimeSurvey on your system, this guide will walk you through the process.

Prerequisites

Before installing LimeSurvey, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

  • A Void Linux system
  • Root access privileges
  • Internet connectivity

Step 1: Install Apache

LimeSurvey requires Apache to run properly. To install Apache on your Void Linux system, run the following command as root:

# xbps-install apache

After the installation is complete, start the Apache service by running:

# ln -sv "/etc/sv/apache" "/var/service/"

Step 2: Install PHP

LimeSurvey also requires PHP. To install PHP on your Void Linux system, run the following command as root:

# xbps-install php

After the installation is complete, start the PHP service by running:

# ln -sv "/etc/sv/php-fpm" "/var/service/"

Step 3: Set up the Database

LimeSurvey uses a database to store survey data. There are a few different databases that are compatible with LimeSurvey, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite. In this tutorial, we’ll use MySQL.

To install MySQL on your Void Linux system, run the following command as root:

# xbps-install mysql

After the installation is complete, start the MySQL service by running:

# ln -sv "/etc/sv/mysql" "/var/service/"

Next, log in to your MySQL server as the root user by running:

# mysql -u root -p

When prompted, enter the root user password that you set during the installation process.

Create a new database for LimeSurvey by running:

mysql> CREATE DATABASE limesurvey;

Create a new user and password for the LimeSurvey database by running:

mysql> CREATE USER 'limesurvey'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';

Grant the new user permissions to access the LimeSurvey database by running:

mysql> GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON limesurvey.* TO 'limesurvey'@'localhost';

Flush the privileges so that the changes take effect by running:

mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Exit the MySQL prompt by running:

mysql> exit

Step 4: Download and Extract LimeSurvey

The next step is to download and extract the LimeSurvey archive. Go to the LimeSurvey website and download the latest stable release.

After the download is complete, extract the LimeSurvey archive in the root directory of your web server:

# tar xf LimeSurvey-*.zip -C /var/www/localhost/htdocs/

Rename the extracted LimeSurvey directory to something more manageable, like limesurvey:

# mv /var/www/localhost/htdocs/limesurvey* /var/www/localhost/htdocs/limesurvey

Set the appropriate file permissions for the LimeSurvey directory by running:

# chown -R apache:apache /var/www/localhost/htdocs/limesurvey

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Finally, open a web browser and go to the following URL:

http://localhost/limesurvey/admin/install/index.php

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. When prompted to enter the database details, use the following settings:

  • Database Type: MySQL
  • Database Server: localhost
  • Database Username: limesurvey
  • Database Password: password
  • Database Name: limesurvey

After completing the installation, remove the install directory for security reasons by running:

# rm -rf /var/www/localhost/htdocs/limesurvey/admin/install

You’re all set! You can now begin using LimeSurvey to create and distribute online surveys.