quick bit of web-help...

[shiato storm]

posted this elsewhere but figured there might be more response here, I want to update my website a bit but writing php files on my computer is a bit of a bummer as they don't come up as they would online (visible as pages etc.). is there a bit of software, a sort of 'virtual server' I can download to make my pc behave like a web server so I can have a crack at writing a web page then upload it all once its ready and looking nice, rather than upload to the live server seeing changes bit by bit...?

 

[MichaelPlace]

interesting, I think you can create a virtual server but I've only ever uploaded files and then refreshed.

I'll be keen to hear the results. Hope someone has the answer.

 

[StuD]

You could try IIS on your PC. Not sure if XP Home / Vista Home has it, but Windows 2000 and XP Professional definitely have it. You can install it from Add/Remove Windows Components. I've only used ASP on it so can't confirm it will run PHP.

 

[yoby]

Not all encompassing, but if you're not going the IIS / Windows route, you could use apache web server (free from here http://www.apache.org/) If yuour scripting php then you'll also need to install PHP on the webserver to handle the pages. While you're at it, you may as well install mysql as well, then you can test the db connects etc. as well before it goes live. You load your pages into that, and can view them throught the browser as if it was live.

 

[KayJay]

The easiest way of all is to install WAMP if you have windows or MAMP if you are on a mac. It'll install everything you need; MySQL, Apache and PHP. Simple as. You don't need the pro version just the free one, that'll do you.

It's just like installing a single piece of software but it'll install everything you need to create your own server environment on your own computer. It's what I use for testing and I've built some pretty big and complex sites.

Hope this helps.

 

[KayJay]

Remember also that when testing your site in your browser you need to go to http://localhost:8888

The 8888 is the port number you set when you change the preferences in WAMP or MAMP and make sure that you set your apache to point to the root of your website i.e. where you index.php file is. It's really easy, easier than it sounds

If you have any problems with it give me a shout.

 

[shiato storm]

cool, cheers for suggestions peeps, sounds just the thing I'm after and I'll give it a go.

 

[Marcel]

You need ApachePHPMySql. I used it when desigining sites over the past few years.

Allows you to run your own virtual servers. One EXE, installs, and away you go (or edit the default settings)

 

[KayJay]

cool, cheers for suggestions peeps, sounds just the thing I'm after and I'll give it a go.

Let us know how you get on I think it'll probably be of interest to a few people on here who are interested in building their portfolio sites.