My Knowledge base is, I can get around in php. I never worked with C, C++, C# or any compilers.
I Upgraded from XAMPP 1.7.3, which used php 5.3, to 1.8.1 which includes:
Apache 2.4.3
MySQL 5.5.27
PHP 5.4.7
It is being installed on Windows 7 Pro, Windows XP Pro and Windows Server 2008 r2. But I am trying to get it to working on Windows 7 currently.
I upgraded because I needed a newer version of Apache and MySQL for security reasons. I do not have the option to downgrade.
I use the php_printer.dll for the ability to print raw data to the printer:
printer_set_option($handle, PRINTER_MODE, "RAW");
My Code worked fine in PHP 5.3 but broke in PHP 5.4.
After receiving the error: " Fatal error: Call to undefined function printer_open() in ~". I checked the php_error_log and received the following information.
PHP Warning: PHP Startup: printer: Unable to initialize module
Module compiled with module API=20090626
PHP compiled with module API=20100525
These options need to match
I've looked for hours trying to find a pre-compiled php_printer.dll for PHP 5.4.7 to no avail. I have concluded that I will have to compile it from source files in the PECL. pecl.php.net/package/printer
Having never had to do this before I did what any internet user should do. I googled it and found some information here:
https://wiki.php.net/internals/windows/stepbystepbuild
It took me all day but the PHP build worked. But then tried to create the php_printer.dll
First I tried :
svn co http://svn.php.net/repository/pecl/printer/trunk pecl/printer
But it said:
'svn' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
So I just downloaded the files myself from:
svn.php.net/repository/pecl/printer/trunk/
and put them in:
C:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php5.4-201303311430extprinter
I made sure to download the libraries both from:
windows.php.net/downloads/php-sdk/deps/vc9/x86/
Also just the:
deps-5.4-vc9-x86.7z
I tried one then the other, however; every time I received the following when I tried to nmake:
c:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php5.4-201303311430>nmake
Microsoft (R) Program Maintenance Utility Version 9.00.30729.01
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
printer.c
extprinterprinter.c(266) : error C2065: 'pval' : undeclared identifier
UPDATE
I got some help on another forum.
by hackattack142 ? 03. April 2013 23:51
Hello,
Open 'printer.c' and replace all instances of 'pval' with 'zval' and it should compile.
Thank you Hackattack, one step closer I hope,
c:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php5.4-201303311430>buildconf
~
c:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php5.4-201303311430>configure --disable-all --enable-cli
--enable-printer
~
c:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php5.4-201303311430>nmake
Microsoft (R) Program Maintenance Utility Version 9.00.30729.01
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
internal_functions.c
printer.c
Creating library Release_TSphp5ts.lib and object Release_TSphp5ts.exp
Creating library Release_TSphp.lib and object Release_TSphp.exp
SAPI sapicli build complete
It seemed to have compiled. However; I can't find a printer.dll or a php_printer.dll which is the outcome I was hoping for.
In the Release_TSext folder there is a folder named Printer. It contains the following Files:
printer.obj
printer.sbr
vc90.idb
I also did the last step:
c:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php5.4-201303311430>cd Release_TS
c:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php5.4-201303311430Release_TS>php -m
[PHP Modules]
Core
date
ereg
pcre
printer
Reflection
SPL
standard
[Zend Modules]
c:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php5.4-201303311430Release_TS>
Help from another forum
configure --disable-all --enable-cli --enable-printer=shared
It worked and i created the php_printer.dll however when i tried to use it:
In PHP Error Log:
[15-Apr-2013 15:34:53 UTC] PHP Warning: PHP Startup: Invalid library (maybe not a PHP library) 'php_printer.dll' in Unknown on line 0
I had to grab 5.4.7 files as I was using 5.4.15 but XAMPP 1.8.1 uses 5.4.7
http://www.oldapps.com/php_programming_language.php?old_php=8227
And put it in: C:php-sdkphp54devvc9x86php-5.4.7
then put the printer files in the ext folder and did all the above processes and:
configure --enable-printer=shared
And it worked:
PHP Version 5.4.7 php_printer.dll
http://pylonx.com/PHP/php_printer_5.4.7.zip
question from:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/15776490/php-5-4-7-compiling-ext-php-printer 
