[PHP / MySQL] Installing a PHP / MySQL / Apache Sever on your local machine

Installing a PHP Server Locally​

If you are interested in starting web development, chances are you will be looking into learning PHP first. It is a very powerful language, and with the correct foundation can do just about anything (you can create PHP applications to control appliances in your home .)

Now before you can jump into learning PHP, you need to first install PHP. The purpose of installing PHP onto your local server is not for actual web hosting (although this can be done), the purpose of installing PHP on your server is for development purposes. It allows you to test and develop your scripts before releasing them.

There are a couple nice, pre-compiled packages with Apache + PHP + MySQL that allow you to get started right away: if you are running windows or mac I suggest using one of these (see below.) If, however, you are running a linux based operating system, using the terminal and a few short lines you can fully install a PHP server without the clunky software. The following method will work on linux, however, it is adviced against.

In order to install one of these precompiled packages visit: apache friends - xampp

Once here, scroll down the page slightly and select the operating system (I will be using windows for this tutorial.)


Scroll down the page slightly to where you see "download" and click the XAMPP under that:


That will bring you down the page to a place where you select which installer to use. Click the "installer":


That will bring you to a new page where your download will begin. Walk through this downloader as you would any other regular installer.
Continue through the installer, selecting your language, choose the file destination, when you are prompted for what services you want, check them all (Apache, MySQL, FileZilla):


After the installer finishes a command prompt window will come up telling you to wait. Wait for a small amount of time and it will close. Click finish on the actual installer. Another command prompt will open when you do that. It will check ports and then install them properly on your server. When this is finished, you will be prompted with another dialouge box and it will allow you to finish.

In order to start running your apache + mysql server, go into "XAMPP control panel."


Here you can start and stop all the services which you installed.

When you want to begin web programming, open up the directory which you saved XAMPP to, and open the "htdocs" folder. Everything in this folder can be accessed in your browser, through the domain "localhost".


It comes installed with some default files, explaining what exactly XAMPP is, and how to configure it and such; these can all be deleted to make room for your web directory!

I hope this was helpful. If you want to further learn the basics of PHP check out YouTube. There are many of very helpful PHP basics + advanced tutorials.

If you have further questions on this, or anything related to PHP simply ask and I will do my best to help!