This is a tutorial on how to install Apache PHP & mySQL using XAMPP on a Windows Machine. XAMPP is a an application bundle that consists of Apache Server, PHP, mySQL, Mercury and Apache Tomcat. If you are a serious web developer or a novice doing a college project, XAMPP comes in handy for both.
Let’s take a look at How to Install Apache PHP & mySQL using XAMPP on a Windows Machine.
Step 1: Goto Apache Friends Website and look out for the appropriate version you want to download. If you are a web developer working on an old project and for that matter, need a previous version of PHP, select accordingly. Your download will start automatically.
Step 2: A file similar to this will be downloaded. Double Click on the .exe file to launch it.
Step 3: You will be prompted with a Warning talking about UAC on your Windows Machine. Click on OK.
Step 4: Now let’s start installing. Click on Next.
Step 5: Select what all components you want to install and click on install. I am selecting all the components.
Step 6: Select a location where your server will sit. This is an important step as all your files will sit in this folder.
Step 7: Check if you want to know more from BitNami. I am going to deselect this for now.
Step 8: You are now ready to install XAMPP on your computer. Click on Next. Easy, huh?
Step 9: This might take a while. Let XAMPP do it’s thing. Grab a coffee or something in the meanwhile.
Step 10: Finish the installation by selecting the “Launch Control Panel” and clicking the finish button.
Step 11: This is the XAMPP Control Panel. Click on Start for Apache and mySQL. The servers will start.
NOTE: Some services like Skype might be accessing your default http port. So you might consider changing the port for Apache as follows.
Step 12: Change the default port number by clicking on config, select “Service and Port Settings” and entering a different number under 65535
Step 13: Let’s test the server now. All your project files will be stored in C:/xampp/htdocs file.
Step 14: Goto http://localhost/
If you see this splash screen, you have successfully installed XAMPP.
NOTE: If you have specified a different port number in Step 12, the url should include the port number also. Eg: http://localhost:3333
Step 15: You can delete all the files in the htdocs folder. I am going to create a new folder and a PHP file in it called “test.php” For now I am just going to put this in my php file.
Step 16: Launch your browser and go to the path where your file is. In my case, it’s going to be, “http://localhost/readmenow/test.php”
Step 17: You should see Phpmyinfo on the browser.
Step 18: Finally done! You have successfully installed and configured XAMPP.
I will embed a video tutorial also. Please take a look at it and let us know your comments/suggestions/feedback.