Apache PHP & mySQL using XAMPP[Tutorial]

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.