PHP and MySQL on XP

[tucsonsam]

I'm thinking of downloading MySQL and PHP for my computer (running XP). Would this help me by allowing me to develop on my computer, and then uploading my work to the server (LAMP)?

[dagon]

ive done it but as the work server was linux i just ended up always running it there.

[[uk]stuff]

I find it extremely useful having a rig that is available to develop in a kind of sandpit. The only problem I have is making sure that I keep the databases in synch.

I know that MySQL have a number of GUI tools to help overcome this such as online migrations. This enables a source database to be copied on the fly to a destination machine with minimal impact.

I would suggest to go for it... you could always uninstall. If you do go for it I would probably suggest using XAMPP as this cuts out the hastle of getting a web server to interpret the PHP. By using XAMPP its just a case of download, click next, next, next, finish. Jobs a good'un.

[NogDog]

WAMP (http://www.wampserver.com/en/) and XAMPP (http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html) both have all-in-one installs for Windows. If you want to develop a deeper understanding of how all the pieces are installed and configured, you can get the latest versions from their respective sites (www.php.net, www.apache.org and www.mysql.com)and install them yourself per their instructions.

[halojoy]

to add to NogDog good hint

I just tried another bundle LAMP package with my Windows XP.
It can be UNZIPPED and COPIED to and RUN from anywhere:
- CD disc
- USB Memory Stick
- PC Folder

It worked right away. On my new little 4 GB USB flash memory stick.

Notice:
You need not to run some install .exe program
Just unzip somewhere and click >>> Server2Go.exe
and there you are :)
Documentation Wiki, Forum and free downloads at:
Server2Go (http://www.server2go-web.de/)
:)

There are several flavours to chose from:
With Apache 1 or Apache 2. Micro is 5MB and largest ZIP is 72MB.
And, yes, phpMyAdmin is included.

I used Apache 2 version of this:
Mini-Package (only needed files) PHP 5.2.3, SQLite, MySQL 5.0.41 = 23MB
Package Apache 1.3.35 Apache 2.0.58
PHP 5.2.3, SQLite ZIP (~16 MB)
ZIP (~19 MB)
PHP 5.2.3, SQLite, MySQL 5.0.41 ZIP (~39 MB)
ZIP (~41 MB)
PHP 5.2.3, SQLite, MySQL 5.0.41, Perl 5.8 ZIP (~72 MB)
ZIP (~75 MB)
Mini-Package (only needed files)
PHP 5.2.3, SQLite, MySQL 5.0.41 ZIP (~18 MB)
ZIP (~23 MB)
Micro-Package
(Plain vanilla Apache without PHP, Perl and MySQL) - ZIP (~5 MB)

I can really recommend this one, even if I have used several 'older' packages before.
Like good XAMPP from http://www.apachefriends.org/ as NogDog told you about.


Regards :)
haojoy

[mwasif]

@halojoy
Server2Go seems to be very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[tucsonsam]

Wow, thanks for all the ideas and the encouragement. After looking at all the suggestions, I thought probably I'd go with Xampp, but Server2Go looks interesting - I like the idea of putting it on a Flash drive and using it on several computers, but wonder - will it give me full-fledged support - will queries and scripts written for it work when uploaded to a Linux/Apache server?

[halojoy]

XAMPP is great.
I have used it many times.
It is mature and very wellknown and supported.
By the site www.apachefriends.org and community and many 1.000 users around the world.

this is a factor:
when you get a problem, you will easy find a solution on internet
if there are 100.000 users.

this is one good reason why the big FREE ones like:
Internet Explorer, Firefox, phpBB, Apache, WinAmp etc etc
and also XAMPP is one step ahead.
:) For better or for worse.

I was into Xitami web server for a while.
It is a very good web server ... but not much info and problem solving to find in internet.
Well, those years, Apache was not really for Windows
... it is a Linux thing from start .. just like PHP is for Apache + Linux .. from the start.

Rasmus Lerdorf from Denmark
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasmus_Lerdorf
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Lerdorf.jpg/225px-Lerdorf.jpg
he did
programming some server side Perl Code for his Apache web pages
... and called it: Personal-Home-Page = PHP
The rest is history.
It is PHP :)


Today, when I learnt howto use it,
I cant think of any other web server than Apache.
They just had to make Apache work on Windows.
Because people wanted it .. and Windows Users are many many many

Not only me,
halojoy

[bradgrafelman]

and called it: Personal-Home-Page = PHPNote that this isn't what PHP really stands for, though. :p

Anyway, my only comment to add to this thread is this: Try to use the same versions in your development environment as you have in your production environment. Sometimes matching OS's isn't feasible/preferrable for you; other than that, however, I would recommend matching up the same versions of software that you're using (e.g. MySQL server, PHP version, etc.).