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 hassle will be worth it.
This article gives you essential information to get started right away. Even if you are a seasoned PHP, MySQL and Apache guru, 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 same page, look for Win32 Binary (Self extracting) file: apache_1.3.33-win32-x86-no_src.exe. 3. Download file and save it on your hard disk. Run installer and self-extracting wizard will guide you through rest of steps. Choose all 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 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 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 Windows downloads section, choose Windows Essentials (x86) and click on Pick a Mirror link. 3. Download file mysql-4.1.7-essential-win.msi and save it on your hard disk. Run installer and self-extracting wizard will guide you through rest of steps. Remember root password when prompted for it in installation process. 4. Once installation is done, on your Windows toolbar, go to "Start->Programs->MySQL->MySQL Server 4.1->MySQL Command Line Client". 5. Type root password and you should be logged in to MySQL shell. 6. Type "show databases;" to see list of databases. Type "quit" when you are done.