Welcome to our beginner’s guide on how to install PHP with XAMPP in 2024! If you’re just starting with web development, setting up PHP on your local machine is an essential first step. XAMPP is a free, open-source package that makes this process incredibly simple by bundling Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the installation process step-by-step.

Why Use XAMPP?

Before we dive in, let’s quickly discuss why XAMPP is a great choice:

• Easy Setup: XAMPP provides a straightforward installation process that packages everything you need.
• All-in-One Solution: It includes Apache (web server), MySQL (database), and PHP, so you don’t need to install each component separately.
• Cross-Platform: XAMPP is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it versatile for any developer.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing PHP with XAMPP

Step 1: Download XAMPP

First, you need to download XAMPP. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official XAMPP website.
2. Choose the version that matches your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Click the download button to start the download process.

Step 2: Install XAMPP

Once the download is complete, you can install XAMPP:

1. Windows: Run the downloaded .exe file. If prompted by User Account Control, click “Yes” to allow the installer to make changes to your device. Follow the installation wizard steps, selecting the components you need (default options are usually fine).
2. macOS: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the XAMPP folder to your Applications folder. Open the Applications folder and launch XAMPP.
3. Linux: Open a terminal, navigate to the directory where the installer was downloaded, and run the following command:
   sudo ./xampp-linux-x64-7.4.21-0-installer.run
   
   Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Step 3: Start Apache and MySQL

After installing XAMPP, you need to start the Apache and MySQL services:

1. Open the XAMPP Control Panel (or Manager-OSX for macOS).
2. Click the “Start” button next to Apache.
3. Click the “Start” button next to MySQL.

You should see green indicators next to both services, indicating they are running.

Step 4: Verify PHP Installation

To verify that PHP is installed correctly, you need to create a simple PHP script:

1. Open your XAMPP installation directory. On Windows, it’s usually C:\xampp. On macOS and Linux, it might be in /Applications/XAMPP or /opt/lampp.
   
2. Navigate to the htdocs folder.
3. Create a new file named info.php and open it in a text editor.
4. Add the following PHP code:
   <?php
   phpinfo();
   ?>
5. Save the file and open your web browser.
6. Go to http://localhost/info.php.
   
   You should see a page displaying detailed information about your PHP installation, confirming that PHP is working correctly.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed PHP with XAMPP on your local machine. You’re now ready to start building and testing your PHP applications. This setup is perfect for learning and developing PHP projects locally before deploying them to a live server. If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy coding!