Easy PHP question

They have: 8 posts

Joined: May 2007

Hey there I am looking to learn PHP and I am stuck on the first hurdle! And I am learning on my own with help of tutorials and forums and I was wondering if I could have some help.

I am doing this without a webserver at the moment just in windows. It's not working when I upload a php page, only the html comes up, is this because I need a working server with apache activated? Rather than trying it out in windows.

If yes how do I set this up once I get access to one of my servers (I'm in a library at the moment with a free day).

Regards Matthew

JeevesBond's picture

He has: 3,952 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

In Windows there're several ways to get a Web server up and running. I believe the easiest to setup is: XAMPP. That'll get you a working Apache + PHP + MySQL environment.

If you're interested we have an article on setting up a home Web server. That would be useful if you have an old PC to spare, and in time you could use it as an Internet facing server (just configure your router to port forward port 80 to the server).

a Padded Cell our articles site!

They have: 8 posts

Joined: May 2007

So yeh the problem is that I have to set up webserver with apache working yeh? With like a working mysql database file set up pointing locations in the right place.

thanks for the help by the way.

JeevesBond's picture

He has: 3,952 posts

Joined: Jun 2002

Yes, that's what you need. XAMPP will do that for you.

thanks for the help by the way.

No worries. Smiling

They have: 1 posts

Joined: Aug 2011

what is XAMPP?

decibel.places's picture

He has: 1,497 posts

Joined: Jun 2008

For learning PHP (and much more) I would recommend Tizag and W3Schools

xampp is very useful and a good learning environment. I use xampplite for local Drupal dev.

You can also get totally FREE web site hosting with PHP/MySQL at free-space

I set up an account there, pretty simple, but haven't really tried doing anything with it.

stokes1900's picture

They have: 57 posts

Joined: Oct 2010

you can use wamp server or xampp server to run php script. you dont have need to install mysql separately. it includes apache with mysql inbuiltly.

jhnbrwn's picture

They have: 31 posts

Joined: Nov 2010

First of all i will appreciate your wish that u want to learn such a language which is of great importance, and now coming towards your problem, i will say that u must use http://www.w3schools.com to learn the basics of this language, Now coming towards the server, so we have two main local hosts server for running php scripts, they are WAMP & XAMP Server, just install them, easy to install, no complexity and no skills required to do this,just download or purchase it, but my suggestion is this that u must use XAMP server.

Get Elegant Magento Themes
Get your websites optimised by SEO London

Want to join the discussion? Create an account or log in if you already have one. Joining is fast, free and painless! We’ll even whisk you back here when you’ve finished.