There are a number of tools and packages whih allow people to install PHP/MySQL on their (Windows) computers or servers and most of these come with full instructions on the installation process.
Examples:
EasyPhp includes an Apache server, a MySQL database, a fully PHP execution, as well as easy development tools for your web site or your applications.
I use Foxserv (see URL above), and though it could use some tweaking (for example, either they could include the missing.html, or just disable the custom error message for 404s...), it run's relativly smoothly and is easy to setup. --Tyberius Prime
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And I use phpdev4. This is how to get that up and running:
- Go here: http://www.firepages.com.au/phpdev4.htm and choose the appropriate bundle, you get in one download and installation:
Apache, PHP, Perl, and MySQL database for a Wwindows machine.
- Unzip it to C: (as suggested) .
- Go to C:/phpdev/apache/conf and open httpd.conf on line 352 change it to look like this: DirectoryIndex index.html index.htm index.php index.php3 index.fire (by adding index.php index.php3 ) this will allow you to use these files as "directory/". Save...
- Then go to C:/phpdev and execute 'phpdev_start.bat'. That starts the whole shebang... phpdev_stop.bat stops it.
- To set this up (plus installing one db and adding all pages) on a client's PC for a demonstration took me at most 20 minutes...
- On Win98/ME/NT/2000 it works without a hitch, in XP you need to use the NT bundle be aware of this, it assumes that the sytem directory is WINNT so it creates this and places the .ini file there. (You probably should move it to the appropriate directory.)
[Edited a bit for typos and style by Tyberius Prime & kuckus]
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XAMPP/WAMPP/LAMPP - Review by silence
I have found that the AMPP range released by Apachefriends has been a great package. The windows version in particular was relatively easy to install, however, you need to tweak a bit to get everything to function correctly (e.g. the mailserver, getting apache/sql to run as a service automatically).
All in all, though, it took very little time to get it up and running and performed well. The admin page included with the package works very well, however, read the documentation carefully since they walk you through relevant security measures you need to consider if you're going to put the server on the open net.
It has worked well on on my company's intranet, however, I haven't used it for actual hosting due to the fact that there's no real need since we already have several apache servers with the relevant software installed.