Help with PHP in web browser

shimano55

I went to http://www.php.net/downloads.php and downloaded the manual install for PHP. After downloading, I extracted all the files to a folder called "php" (no quotes) in my harddrive. Than I copied the php.ini-recommended file to C:\WINDOWS and the php4ts.dll file into my C:\WINDOWS\system32 folder. BTW I am using Windows XP Home Edition. Hope all you experts out there can help. 😉

rachel2004

Was there a problem?

shimano55

lol...im so sry...i forgot

when I made a php document and double-clicked on it...it asked me to select a program to open it with..so i selected internet explorer and when it opened it just showed the php code and not the outcome of the script. The script was:
<?php
print "php test";
?>
and that is what the browser showed. Can ya help me?

btw: I put the php file in a different folder. Not the "php" folder.(just in case that matters).

rachel2004

We could troubleshoot this, but in your case it might actually be faster to reinstall PHP. Did you download the PHP installer or the PHP zip package?

Get the installer if you didn't the first time.

Before you run it, be sure either IIS or Apache is running on your server. It really isn't much more difficult than that on Win32.

shimano55

uhhh....how do you install Apache or IIS...I got the intaller, but didn't know what my http server is....how would i find this out?

gregmiller

if u r working on windows u need to install iis ,apache or any http server to have php running (remember php is a server side scripting language isnt it?.... so it should reside on a server).
So either install iis or apache(www.apache.org) on your system
Greg

shimano55

thx man.....and i have a question about apche/ IIS compatability

im not sure if this pertains to the topic AT ALL..but will apache/IIS work overa Router....casue my computer gets internet access through a wireless network in my home.

rachel2004

If you have an ACL (access control lists) set up on your router, you can filter for port 80 (http). Since you're using this at home, you may have a consumer-level router/firewall from maybe Linksys. They generally have a web based interface to control access to certain ports.

At any rate, use your router/firewall to filter traffic. Apache or IIS itself will not filter for you.

shimano55

ok...i'll give it a whirl...and btw...how do you download apache...i went to the site and than the downlaod page...but wasn't sure HOW to download....

rachel2004

Go here:

http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi

select the mirror closest to you (if possible).

This is the download for Apache.

shimano55

ok
so i went to the complete list of mirrors and clicked on one in the US...than it took me to http://apache.247available.com/

how do you download it form there? I can't seem to find a download button or anything

rachel2004

Go here:

http://apache.247available.com/httpd/

Click the one that says:

httpd-2.0.49-win32-src.zip

It will prompt you to begin download.

shimano55

Thanks man...do you know where I can get a guide to show me how to install Apache?

hey do you have AIM...cause that would be easier than posting and waiting for eachother to reply. If you don't have it...than i guess this'll have to do

rachel2004

Have you unzipped the file that you downloaded? You should see icons and stuff if you have.

There's probably some sort of text file called README or INSTALL that you'll see after you unzip the file that downloaded. Those should contain instructions, but for the most part, just accept the defaults after you being the installation.

If that doesn't clear it up, visit www.devshed.com or phpbuilder.com and look through their articles on how to install Apache, PHP, and/or MySQL.

shimano55

do i need to download the Microsoft installer?

rachel2004

You might have to have a friend who lives near by you take a look at what you're doing.

shimano55

ok....lol...like any of my friends know what a computer is...haha

i'll just stick with JavaScript until i can figure this out than...thanks for your help though

rachel2004

Okay. ;-) You're welcome.