running programs

mariank

I've just installed apache and php. Both installations passed the test (I get that chart of info that PHP displays if your installation is OK). Here's the problem: whatever I save with a .php simply does not work -- I'm talking about the "Hello World" programs that I simply paste and save, not something I wrote. I've been saving in c:/program files/apache software fundation/apache2.2/htdocs (do i even have to save only there?). when I click on an icon, nothing happens - what's wrong?😕

rowanparker

You have to view it in a web browser pointing to 'localhost'.

mariank

thanks for the reply, but can you please explain what you mean?

mariank

how do you point a webbrowser (mine (explorer) obviously is not pointing to localhost)

Piranha

It won't work if you double-click the file. You have to go in to your browser, type localhost/filename.php to get it to work.

mariank

thanks! that works great, but I still don't get it

1 - any program I write in PHP, i have to go to the browser and first put in localhost/... , can't I just click on the program? (what if that's not possible?) - do I save all programs as localhost/programname.php?

Piranha

Just to let you know, posting the same question in different forums won't get people to help you more or faster. On the contrary, some (including me) won't answer at all when you cross post.

mariank

most people only write to forums after they have spent days trying everything and are totally frustrated. when they think they have finally found help they try to get clarification.
If it's too hard for you to answer two questions in a row, maybe you shouldn't be a moderator on a forum.

BTW, I posted in a second forum because i undertood from your answer that you have no patience to clarify your answer (I didnt realize that you moderate both)

Piranha

I am not a moderator, I am a normal user that like to help people that show that they want help. If you had only posted your answer here I would have helped you further. In my first post here I thought that you just needed help to get PHP to work, and that was what I answered.

I didn't mean to offend you in any way with the last post, only ment to teach you how to handle help forums.

mariank

I assume that was an apology - sorry i flew off the handle but you know how it is when you waste day after day trying to get one small thing to work.

can we go back to my headache?

I reinstalled apache cause i realized I hadn't put in localhost for network domain and server name. I thought that would solve everything, but no luck. I found now that when I go into Configure apache server - test configuration, the command screen flashes by for 1 second, and that's it.

I think whatever is causing that is why Php isn't working

Any ideas?

Piranha

Ok, let's go back to the question in hand. Actually it is a good thing that test configuration only flashes by, it means that no error was detected. And if it works when you type localhost/filename.php in the browser it is good, just means that everything is working as it should. By the way, localhost (and IP address 127.0.0.1) is a loopback address, which means that it refers back to your computer.

Normally PHP is used as a script language to use in browsers. As such it is not possible to double-click the file and get it up in the browser, not without any additional software. Have a look at this thread to see a few choises. I haven't done it myself, so I don't know how to handle it or if it is any good.

mariank

OK - I read it - I'm not looking to experiment with new ways of using php, i'm just looking to figure out how to use it.
1- is it correct that in order to run any php program I have to put in my browser localhost/name.php?
2- assuming that #1 is correct
3- do all the php files have to be kept in htdocs? so I can't have two different php files with the same name (like index)? - I tried making a new file in htdocs but the browser couldnt find the program
4- if i get a file/program (sorry, dont knowwhat they're called) from somewhere, i have to copy it into htdocs?

Piranha

To my knoledge it is true except what is said in the thread from my last post.
Yes. You can change what folder you want in Apache settings, but you have to use the folder you chose to everything. But you can use subfolders as well, just create them as usual and then use localhost/folder/filename.php in the URL.
It is called a script, PHP is a scripting language. And again yes, you have to copy scripts to that folder.

May I ask how you are going to use PHP. I am asking because I get the feeling that maybe PHP is not the perfect choise for you.

bradgrafelman

I was going to say this earlier (Piranha has pretty much said it in his last post), but got sidetracked:

When you create a .php file with PHP code, you are not creating a program. The "program" involved is either the php.exe executable file (if you're using the CLI or have interfaced PHP with your web server as a CGI binary) or the software for your webserver (in the even that you installed PHP as an ISAPI filter). As Piranha points out, the .php file you compose is a script that the PHP program interprets.

As such, you need to use a program (such as the php.exe CLI, or a webserver) to interpret your .php scripts.

Now, as to all of your other questions... it sounds like you need to find some very basic tutorials as to what a webserver is, what PHP is, and how your webserver of choice (Apache is a common one) works.

mariank

I'm using php for a website. I've built a website in the past using HTML, but now I'm actually doing it for money (not much, the man who hired me knows I'm new to it)(i hope he doesnt read this forum). I came across php in two places

1- I want to use "include" in my script (new word)
2- I realize i can use a template for my basis but i downloaded one that needs php so i didnt know how to get to it.

I'm ready to get to work

thank for all the help (you can be sure I'll be back soon with more questions)🙂

Piranha

Well, it seems that PHP is a good choise after all, it is the easiest way to create dynamic web pages.