» 001 - Apache Server/PHP/MySQL/phpMyAdmin Setup using AppServ

Our goal is to be able to run PHP scripts on our own computers for the purpose of dynamic web testing and development. What exactly should you do to get the scripts run properly? Unlike running general HTML scripts in IE or any other browser, running PHP requires some components for the script compilation. The answer to this question is by installing a webserver (Apache), PHP Core, and MySQL (for database-driven websites) on your PC.

However, installing all these components individually on your PC is quite cumbersome for newbies as some complicated configurations will be needed in the process. I'd recommend my dear readers to grab the following package that will install the above components for you in just less than 10 clicks.......Trust me; it's really that simple!

• Appserv (download link: http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/appserv/appserv-win32-2.5.8.exe?download) - recommended
  

What does the Appserv package have?

• Apache Server (web server)


• PHP
  
• MySQL (for database-driven web development)
  
• phpMyAdmin (one of the most popular tools for administering MySQL databases via its web-based interface)
  

AppServ Installation Step by Step.

1. Double Click appserv-win32-x.x.x.exe to install AppServ on your computer.

Figure 1 AppServ Welcome Screen

2. License Agreement : AppServ distribution under GNU/GPL License. You must read the license agreement before you install it. If you agree with this license, click Next to go to proceed. If you do not agree, click Cancel to cancel the installation.

Figure 2 GNU/GPL License Agreement screen.

3. Choose Install Location: AppServ default location is C:\AppServ. If you need to change the destination, click Browse botton to change your destination for AppServ program and then click Next to proceed.

Figure 3 Choose Install location screen.

4. Select Components : AppServ's package components are, by default, checked.If you want to choose some components to install. You can click at check box.- Apache HTTP Server is a Web Server.- MySQL Database is a Database Server.- PHP Hypertext Preprocessor is a PHP Programming processor.- phpMyAdmin is a MySQL Database control via WWW. If you complete choosing it, click Next to proceed.

Figure 4 Choose Package Components screen.

5. Apache Configuration : This screen for specify Apache configure.Server Name You must specify Server Name e.g. "localhost". Admin Email You must specify Admin Email e.g. root@appservnetwork.com HTTP Port You must specify HTTP port for Apache Web Server (default = 80).

Figure 5 Apache Web Server configure screen.

6. MySQL Configuration : Root Password You must enter root password for MySQL Database. Default user for this password is root . Character Sets Specify for data storage language and collations. Old Password: If you have problem when you coding PHP code with Old MySQL API., with the error saying "Client does not support authentication protocol requested by server", you should consider upgrading MySQL client. You must check this option to avoid error. Enable InnoDB: If you use InnoDB, you must check this option.

Figure 6 MySQL Database configure screen.

7. Complete AppServ setup : Setup ask to start Apache and MySQL immediately. Click Finish to end this setup and AppServ is prompt to be used.

Figure 7 Complete AppServ Setup screen.

After you're done with the installation, open one of your web browsers and type the following URLs in the address field

• http://localhost or
• http://127.0.0.1

You should be able to see The AppServ Open Project x.x.x Welcome Screen. It means that you're done with the installation of the mentioned components.

It was very easy, wasn't it? In the next post, I will show you how to write a simple PHP script in order to test if the server is ready for our future web applications.

Installation Steps - Source: APPSERVNETWORK
revised by SaMsOniZe