I followed the steps in a book i bought on how to set up apache/mysql/php.
I went through each step however i am running into a problem. When i try to view php files through my localhost i get a save/open dialog box. if i choose save it simply get saved to my desktop and if i choose open, then it opens in dreamweaver.
The official php site has a warning about downloading all in one packages. this is why i did not download one in the first place, whats your opinion on it?
XAMPP has been developed for quite some time now. Its up to version 1.6.2 and contains a lot of features. A lot of time was spent into developing the application. It installs PHP 5 by default but has a PHP Switch so you could use PHP 4 if you like. It installs mysql, as well as phpmyadmin. It also installs mercury mail which acts as a mail server. I wouldn't recommend something that I didn't think was worth it. Often beginners try to install php and apache but run into problems because they missed one step or something. XAMPP takes care of all the issues. I myself use XAMPP.
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I use WAMP now, I got so sick of the install and handling the files seeing how many times I reinstalled windows.
I setup 3 virtual hosts with WAMP and only need to change a few things. :P
Depending on your OS, I never used XAMMP, thought that was a Linux or Mac version, I dont know, thought they were called LAMP and MAMP haha.
XAMPP has versions for Linux, Mac, Windows, and Solaris. I setup 4 virtual hosts and only needed to change a few things as well. Mainly the vhosts.conf file. The file has examples of how to setup new virtual hosts. I had to edit my host file as well in the Windows directory. If you uninstall XAMPP for some reason it allows you to keep your sql data and your htdocs folder.
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