I’d like to be able to run/test my PHP programs on my desktop, instead of constantly uploading them to my server to run, and have to deal with constant use of phpMyAdmin. So how can I run a php environment and mySQL database on my Windows Vista desktop? (Free programs, if possible.)
You can install Wamp Server (http://www.wampserver.com/en/) on any Windows Machine. You must then ensure that the computer is on, when you want to use the site!
This comes with PHP & MYSQL built in ready for you. You should then navigate to where it installed to the htdocs directory and put your code their.
The WAMP icon bottom right of screen, and click “PHPMyAdmin” this will open up mysql, so you can create databases!
Once you have created database, navigate to http://localhost/ here you will find your newly created website!
Once ready to go live on your network right click on the WAMP icon in task-bar and click “Put On-line”. This will then make your local IP address (ask network admin, its in your settings) show your forum.
Now on any computer, in your network you will have your site running from your IP.
If you wish, You can open your internet firewall and put the forum on-line too. So your network can access the forum world wide.
You have to download and install three things:
A web server. I use Apache.
PHP.
And mysql.
All of the above have installers for windows.
In Apache’s config file, I think it is in the conf directory and named ‘httpd’, there should be a place to set the path to PHP.
And then just set up your databases in mysql and make sure it is running.
You will also have to download and install the mysql ODBC connector:http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector…
And set the settings for it here:
control panel->administrative tools->data sources
And I guess this is obvious, but in your PHP you have to remember to connect to your localhost instead of your server.
Good luck.
You will do all that with one installation !http://www.wampserver.com