PHP without a server

[DeadFly]

Maybe this is an odd question, but here is what I'm looking to do . . . I'm in the process of creating a backend user system for a local small business which will basically work as an accounting, client database, products database, invoicing, and account histories program.

What I want is to be able to run this in IE (in fullscreen mode), and have as little memory footprint as possible on the system.
I'm just wondering whether it is possible to run PHP and MySQL some other way except by running an Apache server, WinMySQLAdmin, and Apache Serve Monitor.

Basically I'm looking for the easiest way to run this program on a single computer, with no access to the internet (hence no need for Apache).

Any ideas ?

[piersk]

PHP won't run without a webserver of some description.

However, even if your computer isn't connected to the internet, you can still run a webserver on it.

[WaveyDavey]

What piersk said above isn't *strictly* true !

>PHP won't run without a webserver of some description.

>However, even if your computer isn't connected to the internet,
>you can still run a webserver on it.

You can run php native on windows platform, and you can create a UI (but not in Explorer!) You can use the php-gtk toolkit, which provides windows gui widgets to enable an app to be built. I'm just exavluating it with plans to use it to build an installer. The learning curve is quite steep though, but maybe worth checking out. This is *completely* un-web connected. Php is *just* a scripting language - the interpreter cares not a jot for web servers. Try php -i from command line to prove that it will run without a webserver.

piersk's second part is entirely true thou - I have installed a number of standalone apps with apache/php/mysql all running on a single client PC - effectively its both client and server at same time. Just remember that 127.0.0.1 is a valid network address - its yourself !
Doesnt seem to hammer the pc too hard, either - happily run this on 600Mhz durons before.

WaveyDavey

[piersk]

Originally posted by DeadFly
What I want is to be able to run this in IE (in fullscreen mode)

... therefore, you would need a server...

[WaveyDavey]

Hence my second part completely agreeing with you. I just wanted to suggest that browser is not a requirement to do anything useful in php.

[piersk]

Fair point

[DeadFly]

I've never heard of "php-gtk".
Know any places I can get a good tutorial on it ? (besides reading manuals, I learn best from example)

Oh, and thanks for answering my question so well.
I definately learnt something new.
:)

[WaveyDavey]

Hah ! You wish ...

Been hunting for them myself - I'm still at the foot of the learning curve !

Docs from php-gtk site are a bit, well, limited. I've been looking at these :
http://www.tutorgig.com/showurls.jsp?group=45184&index=0
and
http://personal.riverusers.com/~swilhelm/gtkperl-tutorial/box.html
(go up a level or two for contents). Actually for perl, but DOES give some good stuff on properties and methods of the zillion widget classes !

Downloading php-gtk gives you a few samples too, to play with and break.

If I find any superb tutorials, I'll post em here for you.

Glad I could help - Ive taken enough help from the community that I feel obliged to give some back.

David.

[piersk]

http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/index.php3?cat=9

But it is for Linux. Dunno if php-gtk will run on windows