Enabling dbase for apache / php

[roopurt18]

I need to enable dbase support on our new host before I can begin migrating my site from my old host.  The host can / will do this for me but I'd like to tackle the problem on my own to expand my own personal knowledge.

Apparently I can go about this a couple ways.  I can recompile apache with a --enable dbase directive, which I'd like to avoid because I don't want to risk breaking the current apache installation.  I would think I can also enable it dynamically through an .so.  To that end I tried downloading a php-dbase*.rpm and installing it, but I'm getting a failed dependency stating php needs to be greater than 4.3.11.  However, the new host is running php 4.4.4 so I'm confused as to why this would be the case.

If anyone can provide some advice I'd be extremely grateful.  The server is running some version of linux, although I'm not entirely sure which.  When it comes to this environment I know enough to be dangerous, which is why I'm now turning here.

Thanks!