complete newbie...need some help

[Ammaar]

Hi to everyone. This is my first post.
I'm just starting out with PHP and MySQL since I'm doing a software project for my computer science degree.
What I've gathered so far is that I need Apache Web server. I've downloaded but have yet to install. Also that I need the MySQL database thingy. Still have to download that but I do know where to get it. The third thing I need is for PHP, which is where I'm stuck...What exactly do I need and where can I get it? I think its the compiler but I'm not so sure...Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ammaar

[Barb54]

Hi,
You don't have to install each one separately. xampp is what I use and it comes with an installer, just depends on your operating system. I have Windows 2000 Pro. You can do a search at http://sourceforge.net for web servers and lots will come up. They are all free open source packages there. I have had an excellent go with xampp.

I have to connect to the internet, start the Apache server and MySQL server, then I disconnect to work offline. xampp has batch files set up for you to do that very easily. Just read their instructions and you should do fine.

Good luck!
Barb

[Ammaar]

Thanks. I'll look into it. A friend of mine recommended a package called foxserve to me so I'll give both of them a go and see which is better for me.

[planetsim]

Depends really i have my set up as a module. Im pretty sure Foxserv and Xampp are both CGI install.

You should to get the most out of it and really learn PHP download each seperately and install it as a module it isnt extremely hard but miss one step or part of a step and you will have trouble.

However if your only wanting to learn then the packages are a good start but will limit you when you get good.