Although I'm a retired mainframe IT puke (started as a programmer and wound up as a CIO), I know very little about this marvelous personal computer platform. I consider myself an intermediate Windows tech - know very, very little about UNIX. I'm finding the idea of dabbling with PHP development fascinating. I'm fairly proficient with HTML and want to become comfortable with PHP. Toward that end, I've considered setting up a localhost server. I'm here seeking advice.
I have a couple of fairly new machines and almost a terabyte of disk storage with 2 gigs of RAM on 3GHz processors running WindowsXP/HE. Is this enough horsepower to set up a local server? Am I being overly ambitious for home-learning in geezerhood? Is this a bridge too far for Windows? Must I first learn UNIX? (Probably too old for that.)
I've googled a bit and read various bits about running Apache. I'm far from expert, but a fair hand with decent instruction material. Can anyone point me to websites I should consume? Want to give me any pointers on where to go from here? A step-by-step how-to would be perfect.
With the expertise I've seen demonstrated by the folks who develop and/or support SMF, I'm certain that this is where I'll get the best advice. But, please, have mercy on an old man and be specific.
TIA
Ok first, it's Linux - not UNIX.
>>"I have a couple of fairly new machines and almost a terabyte of disk storage with 2 gigs of RAM on 3GHz processors running WindowsXP/HE. Is this enough horsepower to set up a local server?"
Yes! Waaaaaay more than enough.
I'm assuming by 'localhost' server, you mean a home web server on a PC other than your desktop PC? (The reason I'm asking is because you can also have a web server on the same PC as your desktop.) Anyway, just get yourself a router and you can connect the two easy as pie.
>>"Am I being overly ambitious for home-learning in geezerhood?"
I'm 55, and I'm still learning.
>>"Is this a bridge too far for Windows?"
After working with Linux (CentOS) as both a server and a desktop, I've burned my Windows bridge - use it 2 hours a month for updates, and then back to CentOS. Or Ubuntu - that's a nice desktop also.
>>"Must I first learn UNIX? (Probably too old for that.)"
Linux - and no, you're not too old.
>>"I've googled a bit..."
Be prepared to google a lot!
>>"A step-by-step how-to would be perfect."
Here's a nice little starter:
http://www.linuxhomenetworking.com/
>>"I'm certain that this is where I'll get the best advice."
There are many Linux message boards available, and you'll get great advice from them all (well, most of them). And the more sites you visit the better, really.
Just take your time, use google, and you'll be fine! :)
Thanks for the response and straight answers. AZC!
I've got about 10 years on you; so don't rule out the geezer factor. Hate to be the one to break it to you, but it doesn't get better - it sorta begins to dribble away..
So, if I understood you, I should find a Linux distribution that will support dual boot, install it (think I might have an ubunto here) and make it play happy with Windows. Then progress to an Apache/PHP installation on that OS? If that's the right course, guess I better learn about the vagaries of dual boot systems, then configure to instull Linux. If all that plays nice, I'll need to learn about the care and feeding of Apache then I can start running some PHP code through its interpreter.
How much did I miss? How much did I distort? What if any books would you suggest I read? What websites present information the best? I really do need to be shown the first few steps down this slippery slope.
Thanks again for your help.
If you have Windows XP Pro then you can install IIS and use to test it locally but not use as a server for other people to visit.
It is under add remove programs in the control panel.
Here is a guide on how to do that
http://www.webwizguide.com/asp/tutorials/installing_iis_winXP_pro.asp
Then download php from http://www.php.net
Then download mysql from http://www.mysql.com
It is pretty easy to install mysql.
PHP requires a little reading they do have an automated installer but I find it does not work as well if you configure it yourself.
I think I got carried away, Rabbit. If your goal is primarily to learn PHP, then vbgamer45 has a pretty good suggestion. But whatever you use, have fun! :)
All I've got to offer is, upgrade to a Mac!
After jumping on a Mac for the very 1st time 12months ago, I would never go back to a PC.
Apache Web Server comes standard - Life is now Oh So Simple!!!
Go the cheats route ;)
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html
Xampp is wonderful :D
Lainaus käyttäjältä: azc - syyskuu 27, 2006, 12:52:18 APOk first, it's Linux - not UNIX.
I don't know what you mean by that... there are still many unix servers, particularly in industry.
rabbithutch, If you want try Linux/GNU anyways, I recommend Ubuntu, it's very easy to use, you won't have many troubles with it, and it should pick up your windows installation to dual boot with automatically.
Lainaus käyttäjältä: Trekkie101 - lokakuu 01, 2006, 06:42:31 AP
Go the cheats route ;)
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html
Xampp is wonderful :D
I second this. Xampp is very easy to work with. I have it set up on my local machine for testing purposes. Much easier to test php scripts locally than uploading them to our "real" server...
If you just want a test environment use Windows and XAMP or run Linux virtually using Microsoft Virtual PC (Now free, just google it).
Remember that XP has a 10 TCP connection limit so it can never be used as a production web server.
Alternatively if you want to install Linux you can look on Distrowatch (http://distrowatch.com). The two most common Linux distributions for Web Servers are Debian and CentOS.
If you're new to Linux CentOS is probably the better choice as it has an easier install.