i am learning php.how to test the pages?

Question

i am learning php.from a website about.com the problem is i dont know where and how to test the pages which i learn or create.
it says it require ftp server can any one tell me how to do tat .

Answer 1

I use Apache, here's a tutorial:

http://www.php-mysql-tutorial.com/wikis/php-tutorial/installing-php-and-mysql.aspx

Answer 2

Well, you could upload to a webhost that supports PHP. I like http://t35.com/ and http://000webhost.com/. You could also set up a server on your own computer using XAMPP (google it).



Look, if you don't understand the basic concepts of the Internet yet, like the FTP (File Transfer Protocol), then I would suggest you learn some more about that before venturing into a language like PHP. To be a successful web developer you must understand how the Internet works. PHP relies on your knowledge of such things.

Answer 3

Easiest way to test (*not* publish) your PHP pages is to install and run a web server.



I would recommend you to install XAMPP if you use Windows/Mac OS X, and LAMP if you use Linux.



XAMPP can be found at: http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

Just install it, remove all the files in the C:\xampp\htdocs directory (in Windows) and put your PHP files there (I'm unsure about the directory location in Mac OS X). Then navigate to http://localhost/ to test your PHP pages.



I've used this solution for about nine months now, and I rarely have any problems with it.