Building an application is one thing. Making sure it runs reliably in production is another. This article explores my experience with Linux VPS servers, Plesk, Git-based deployment, PHP configuration and troubleshooting production environments.
Software development does not stop at writing code
An application may work perfectly in a local environment, but moving it into production introduces a different set of challenges.
PHP versions, missing dependencies, database connections, file permissions and frontend builds can all affect whether an application runs correctly.
That is why I have focused on understanding the complete deployment process.
Working with a VPS
For my projects, I use Linux VPS environments capable of hosting multiple websites and applications.
Plesk provides a centralized way to manage domains, subdomains, PHP settings, databases and hosting configurations.
This makes it easier to operate and maintain multiple projects within the same infrastructure.
Git as part of deployment
Git plays an important role in my development workflow.
Changes are developed locally and pushed to a repository. Through Plesk's Git integration, these changes can then be deployed to the server.
Dependencies, database migrations and Laravel cache configurations must also be handled correctly.
A deployment is only successful when the entire application works as expected.
Troubleshooting is part of the process
While configuring production environments, I have encountered differences between PHP and Node.js versions.
Missing Vite build files, incorrect file permissions and invalid environment variables can also prevent applications from starting correctly.
Working through these issues has helped me develop a stronger understanding of server administration and production infrastructure.
Building a reliable foundation
My goal is not just to build applications, but also to understand how they operate behind the scenes.
By treating development, deployment and server management as connected disciplines, I gain a more complete understanding of software engineering.
Writing code is the beginning. Delivering reliable software is the goal.