Is there anywhere I can go to get simple step-by-step directions on how to install PHP locally on my machine, starting from the very beginning of the process? All the instructions I find assume I know things that I don't... for instance, all the instuctions I've found on updating the configuration file in Apache tell me what has to be changed but they don't tell me how to go about changing or adding what they tell me to.... Just somethin written in plain English for the beginner... I know alot of HTML and I wanna learn how to use PHP but I don't see the sense in paying for an online host until I know what I'm doing and am ready to open a website...

    I've read thru it and even tried two different servers (IIS 3 and Apache 1.3), tried manual install and the installer and still haven't gotten a damn thing working...

    Before my last harddrive crashed I had it installed and running with Apache as my server and I don't remember anything nearly this complicated...

      Well, I read thru that and when I goto http://localhost/ I get a page not found document meaning Apache apparently isn't working right but when I installed it before I have no recolection whatsoever with any C compilers or any of that. In fact I've never done any programming whatsoever except for HTML if you count that so all of that has me completely lost... I don't even know where to get a C compiler or how to use it...

      Oh and in your instructions you have a dead link on how to install Apache so I had to consult the documents that came with Apache, most of which go way over my head...

        You may want to look into this:

        The MiniServer by SourceForge

        This is a downloadable package that installs PHP, MySQL, and Apache in no time.

        It is the smallest and most functional mini server available.

        It is free to download, and is the most convenient option for testing PHP pages locally.

        Check it out and follow the instructions. Very simple. If you need help, shoot me an email and I'll send you a step by step list of how to start the miniserver and test pages...

        Good Luck, Mike

          The MiniServer project looks good.

          Still, if you want to ask questions on installation, you should state your operating system, and which webserver and version of PHP you intend to use.

            3 years later

            This last link redirects to something called the uniform server and which is only
            for windows anyway.

            Mariane

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