Getting Started with php and MySQL

I've done web design off an on since I was 10, except I only did the graphics and html. Last week i bought a big book called "PHP and MySQL Web Development". Right now im stuck on getting everything ready to script. A buddy sent me "XAMPP Control Panel" which i think installed php5, MySQL5 and apache. Im assuming i just use notebad to script. But what do i dont with the .php. Where do i host it, how do i set it up with the MySQL. Anything that may clear up my confusion like when you would use MySQL and PHP, but mostly how do I get a personal server to test my php script. I want to begin teaching myself, so please help the noob get started.

<3 Zach

 

Ok maybe my question needs to be rephrased. here it is: I think i have php5, MySQL5, and apache on my computer. I have a big book that tells me stuff, im pretty sure i use notepad to write scripts. What do i do with it after that to test it, and how would i set up an actual site with php.

 

what program do i use to write the php script

 

You can use any text editor to write php in, i used notepad at first due to its simplicity, but now im using PHPDesigner, only because it colour codes different types of code and makes it easier when browsing your code.

I myself have never set-up my own apache server with mysql & php installed, i went straight in and got hosting and webspace with db's and php enabled. But from memory i think you can just simply open your php files with IE and presto! its working. (aslong as you have everything installed right)

with my hosting i got 2 Mysql databases which i used to make my first scripts.
Once you have your db's and webspace, you can then connect to your db's and begin coding

To setup my databases i used the online panel provided, PHPMyAdmin. but i could of just as simply wrote the sql code to make my tables. Once i had done that i could begin entering data into my tables and testing my php by uploading it onto the server.

If you have any more questions just ask.

Kronus