One of the main problems for the newcomer to PHP programming is that PHP is a server orientated program. This means that all the PHP scripts have to be uploaded to the server before they can be tested. This can be a major put off for the new PHP Programmer who is reluctant to jeopardise his website by running incomplete scripts.
A way round this is to use Wampserver, an open source windows web development environment. Wampserver allows you to reproduce your server environment on your own desktop thus eliminating the problem of having to upload your scripts to your website to test them.
Wampserver allows you to use Apache, PHP and the MySql database. To implement the latter it also comes with PHPMyAdmin which allows you to easily manage your databases.
That means you don’t need to download Apache, MySql and PHP separately.
So, first goto the Wampserver website and download the latest version of Wampserver and install it. Installing Wampserver is very simple; most of the time you don’t even have to change any installation options from the default. There is one possible problem that users of Skype may have, Wampserver attempts to use the same port as Skype, this can be seen when the icon is not completely white . So quit Skype while you install Wampserver and then reload Skype which will now choose another port. Once Wampserver is installed you can launch it from the start menu or from the desktop icon (if you chose to create one)., you can see the Wampserver icon in the system notification area. The icon colour shows its status (online/offline). Clicking on this icon reveals a menu:
Localhost phpMyAdmin SQLiteManager www directory Apache PHP MySQL
Start All Services Stop All Services Restart All Services
This allows you to manage Wampserver and access all services. When you install Wampserver, all the files are copied in the directory you choose. Config files are then modified to point to that directory.
A directory folder entitled wamp is created with a www folder within it. This will be your document root. It is in the www folder that all your projects will be stored.
As you can see from the menu you can easily view your www directory from the menu
With Wampserver, you will now be able to reproduce your production environment on your personal computer. This now allows you to run and test your PHP Scripts, create databases and test adding, modifying and deleting records in the privacy of your own PC
More information can be found on Wampserver’s website