Apache XAMPP problems

I have downloaded "Apache XAMPP for Windows Version 1.5.4a" in order for me to write and preview my .php files prior to uploading them to my server. After I downloaded the program files I have not been able to figure out how to compile and preview my files. Is anyone familiar enough with that program to instruct me on what iI need to do to be able to compile and preview my files on my pc prior to uploading them to my server?
Thanks,
beenie

 

Maybe there's a way to do it the way you seem to be thinking, but I believe you're going about it the wrong way. The XAMPP package allows you to install a local copy of the server. You put ("upload") your PHP files to this server running on your local PC. You then access this locally-running server via the Web browser as if it were any ordinary server. The server deals with the PHP code as necessary, so you get your "preview". Same exact process as what happens on a real Web hosting server, only XAMPP lets you play with it all locally (would work as a real server too of course, but that's probably not what you're trying to achieve).

HTH,

Michel

 

I guess I didn't make myself clear. When I said "preview my .php files prior to uploading them to my server". The server I am talking about is my web hosting service - PagesGarden. I use Note Tab Light to write my web page files and save them with the .php extension. When I click on the "View in Browser" button I don't see the page rendered on my machine the same as if it were rendered on the web. When my page is rendered on my machine all I see is the code. I have MS Windows XP Home Edition and my browser has been updated to Internet Explorer 7. All I want to do is preview my .php files on my machine the same way I do my .html files prior to uploading them to my web hosting service, PagesGarden.
beenie

 

PHP is a server side interpreted language and REQUIRES a web server that can interpret the PHP code. A text editor has no such ability nor does XP home support IIS (internet information services) in which to do so. You could install apache on your XP Home install and see if that works for you.

 

Kodo... Again, I guess I haven't made myself clear... In my first massage I wrote "I have downloaded "Apache XAMPP for Windows Version 1.5.4a"". I guess I ought to have said I have installed Apache XAMPP for Windows Version 1.5.4a. I guess my problem is that I don't know how to use the apache program to write ( I don't know really if I can write files on apache or do I wrlte my .php files on a text editor the same as I do my .html files ) and interpret my .php files.

I read a response from "SCOUSE" at http://forum.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=73752&highlight=apache that mentioned .php files need to be placed in the www folder to be interperted correctly. I went to my Local Disk [C:] Program Files/xampp folder (as instructed in that thread) and didn't find a www folder anywhere.

Is there a specific place I need to save my .php files to have them interpreted in my bowser by apache?
Rick

 

Kodo... Maybe I should have mentioned that I save my files in a folder in "My Documents".
beenie

 

Wish I could help you with Apache.. as it's something that I don't work with much and opt not to due to it's relatively unfriendly setup procedures (it simply sucks). For this reason I use IIS only (queue up "it's not hard to set up" gripes).. While that may be true, I don't have the time to futz with it. So I turn you here: http://httpd.apache.org/docs/1.3/windows.html#use

 

Kodo.. I have given up on using apache to preview .pho files on my machine. I took the advice from SCOUSE and installed Easyphp. I have it up and running on my machine and it truly is "Easy" Since I don't really want to host websites on my machine Easyphp will work just fine for me. Thanks to you and Alventis for responding to my problem.

 

EasyPHP eh? never heard of it but I'm glad you have found your solution. I'll have to keep this one in mind for others having the same issue happy programming!

 

Kodo.... If and when you do recomend EashPHP you might want to mention they have to go to http://www.canowhoopass.com/guides/easyphp/ for instructions on how to configure it to keep it. I can't take any credit for finding this since I found it in a thread from SCOUSE..