Setting Up Development Server

To run PHP code locally on your machine, you need a development server. A local development server allows you to test and debug PHP scripts without the need for an internet connection or live server.

There are several ways to set up a PHP development server, including using XAMPP, WAMP, MAMP, or the built-in PHP development server.

1.) Using XAMPP (Cross-platform):

XAMPP is an open-source, cross-platform web server solution that includes Apache, MySQL, and PHP, along with other components like phpMyAdmin.

Steps to Set Up XAMPP:

1.) Download and Install XAMPP:

• Go to the XAMPP official website and download the version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
• Install the software following the setup instructions.

2.) Start Apache and MySQL:

• Open the XAMPP Control Panel.
• Click on the “Start” buttons for both Apache (the web server) and MySQL (the database server). These services will allow PHP to work.

3.) Add Your PHP Files:

• Place your PHP files in the htdocs directory (located in the XAMPP installation directory). For example, the default directory path on Windows might be C:\xampp\htdocs.

4.) Access Your PHP Files in the Browser:

• Open a browser and go to http://localhost/your_file.php to run your PHP file. The localhost refers to your local machine.