Linux, PHP, and mySQL On My PC?

DeviantBoi

I would like to learn PHP by fooling around with some ideas for scripts that are running in my head ... but I don't have any hosting with PHP and mySQL.

I was thinking that maybe I could install Linux on a partition on my hard disk and then install PHP and mySQL. Would it be possible to do this? How many MBs should I assign to this partition? Could anyone that has done this help me out with some step-by-step instructions of what I should install?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

Jesse.

AstroTeg

If you're comfy with dual booting or want to dive into dual booting, then I say go for it.

But if you've got Windows, it might just be easier to download and install PHP, Apache, and MySQL. Then you'd be good to go. Sure, you'll miss out on the Linux experience, but if you're interest is more on building web sites, then WAMP (as its called) is a good way to go.

Otherwise, I would also recommend finding a super cheap 2nd computer to put Linux on. It'll give you a chance to monkey around with it and do some light networking without accidentally blowing away Windows and your data.

superwormy

My first reccomendation would be to go down to the local computer shop, and pick up a 150 dollar old computer that you could install FreeBSD/RedHat on, and use that as your webserver.

If you're unwilling to do that... XAMPP is a great little install package for Apache/PHP/MySQL.

http://www.apachefriends.org/xampp-en.html