Apache, MySQL & PHP for Windows

Apache, MysQL and PHP for Windows could be a nice nice thing to have on your Windows workstation. You could try and experiment with all kinds of nice PHP and MySQL based applications right on your Windows desktop running Apache, instead of having to access a full-featured server.

Most people have Windows as their workstation and it can be sometimes difficult to switch to another operating system. So, you may have always wanted to run PHP applications on your Windows machine but wondered if it is too difficult to install or if the hassle will be worth it.

This article gives you the essential information to get started right away. Even if you are a seasoned PHP, MySQL and Apache guru, the checklist below will still be helpful in your installation process.

There are lots of 3rd party software that bundles Apache, MySQL & PHP in one package and installs them on our computer. We do not recommend this and suggest that you directly get Apache, MySQL & PHP from their official sites.

Apache

1. Get Apache 1.3.33 from here: http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi.

2. Choose a mirror close to you and in the same page, look for the Win32 Binary (Self extracting) file: apache_1.3.33-win32-x86-no_src.exe.

3. Download the file and save it on your hard disk. Run the installer and the self- extracting wizard will guide you through the rest of the steps. Choose all the default settings and run Apache as a service.

4. Remember to put "localhost" when asked for a Server name/Domain name. Use "administrator@localhost" when asked for the administrative email account.

5. Now point your browser to: http://localhost and you should see an Apache Test Page.

6. You can change this page by creating an "index.html" page here "C:Program FilesApache GroupApachehtdocs".

7. You can manually start and stop the Apache server. In a Windows command prompt, type "net stop apache" or "net start apache".

MySQL

1. Get MySQL 4.1.7 from here: http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/4.1.html

2. Under the Windows downloads section, choose Windows Essentials (x86) and click on the Pick a Mirror link.

3. Download the file mysql-4.1.7-essential-win.msi and save it on your hard disk. Run the installer and the self-extracting wizard will guide you through the rest of the steps. Remember the root password when prompted for it in the installation process.

4. Once the installation is done, on your Windows toolbar, go to "Start->Programs- >MySQL->MySQL Server 4.1->MySQL Command Line Client".

5. Type the root password and you should be logged in to the MySQL shell.

6. Type "show databases;" to see the list of databases. Type "quit" when you are done.

PHP

1. Get PHP 4.3.10 from here: http://www.php.net/downloads.php

2. Under the Windows Binaries section, choose the file: PHP 4.3.10 zip package size 7,405Kb dated 15 Dec 2004.

3. Download the file and save it on your hard disk. Unzip the file and rename the extracted folder to "php". Now move this folder "php" and place it under "C: Program Files".

4. Move all the files under "C:Program Filesphpdlls" and "C:Program Filesphpsapi" to here: "C:Program Filesphp".

5. Copy the file php.ini-recommended to "C:WINDOWS" and rename it to php.ini

6. Edit your Apache "httpd.conf" configuration file located here: "C:Program FilesApache GroupApacheconf".

7. Add the following lines in httpd.conf:

LoadModule php4_module "C:/Program Files/php/php4apache.dll"
AddModule mod_php4.c
AddType application/x-httpd-php .php

8. Now stop your server by issuing the following command in Windows command prompt: "net stop apache". Then type "net start apache" to start your server. We are now going to test the PHP installation.

9. Go to "C:Program FilesApache GroupApachehtdocs" and create a file test.php

10. Edit test.php and add the following code:

11. Point your browser to http://localhost/test.php and you should see a lot of PHP configuration information.

Congratulations! You now have Apache, MySQL and PHP installed in your computer. Now you can install your favorite script right on your Windows workstation.

Sanjib Ahmad, Freelance Writer and Product Consultant for Business.Marc8.com - Business Best Sellers.

You are free to use this article in its entirety as long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content, and include the resource box listed above.

---

Help, I Need a New HDTV! (Part 4 of 5)

Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More

5 Minute Guide to Video Editing for Beginners

Getting started with video editing is very simple you only... Read More

If You are the Only User on Your Windows XP Computer, Do You Think One User Account Is Enough?

I am going to assume that you are running windows... Read More

4 Computer Money-saving Tips

Tip #1 -- Rebates: A rebate is not always a... Read More

Digital Cameras Ratings Abolish Camera Comparison Guesswork

Digital cameras ratings are great tools for deciding which camera... Read More

Basic Computer Thermodynamics

That desk in front of you and everything else around... Read More

Use Your Computer For Your Entertainment Needs

By using your computer today you can find a lot... Read More

Home Video? Bring it On

So you got yourself a digital camcorder. If you want... Read More

Bios Term

BIOS - Basic Input Output SystemThe central processing unit of... Read More

How To Search Your PC With Google Desktop

In this era of Internet, most people are frequent users... Read More

Mail-merging: The Principles

About mail-mergingMail-merging is the process of merging variable data and... Read More

Desktop Security Software Risks - Part 2

This is the third in a series of articles highlighting... Read More

Are You Putting Off Productivity?

I recently took a good look at what was keeping... Read More

Getting Started with HTML

The basic language of the internet is html. If you... Read More

Portable DVD Players - Things To Know

In my humble opinion nothing makes a long trip easier... Read More

Your Home is in Your Hands

I would like to tell you about a magic home.... Read More

A Lesson in HTML

As the owner of a Country Mall and Top Site... Read More

Help, I Need a New HDTV! (Part 1 of 5)

Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More

The Best MP3 Players Under $100

You don't have to fork out $250 for a super-diggy-whizbang... Read More

The Importance Of Email Backup

Viruses, software failures, power failures, human errors, hard drive failures... Read More

USB Drives - What to Look For in a USB Device

Those small USB drives have so many names, pocket drives,... Read More

Anti-Skip Protection on Mp3 Players

There have been some questions on anti-skip protection on mp3... Read More

Lightning Season: How to Avoid Data Loss

We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More

MobiTV and Visual Stimulation Imput for Personal Cognitive Performance

Stimulus thru Caffiene or Visual Input?It appears that the Mobi... Read More

Compare MP3 Players for the Coolest Features and Sweetest Deals

How can you compare mp3 players to be sure you're... Read More

PDA Bible Free Download

Your Bible At Your FingertipsIt is fairly easy to find... Read More

Dont Let the Internet Overstimulate Your Mind

The Internet is an awesome tool, but be careful and... Read More

Got Virus?

GOT VIRUS? Your Data is NOT lost forever!In the wake... Read More

Basic Computer Maintenance

One of the most common questions computer users ask is,... Read More

Why Build Your Own Computer System

Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More

Put Order and Information into File Names

Unless you place your faith in internal search engine software... Read More

Linux Power Tools - Great Tools to Make System Administration Easy

World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More

Virtual Memory - What is It?

I recently got an e-mail asking about virtual memory. The... Read More