I Need A Big Assist In Php.

Ok i'm totally new to php,i'm just a web designer a bit of knowledge in javascript.
So for in all through my learning process,i've been writing my code on notepad or dreamweaver and executing on my web browser. But alas,come in Php and i find i need to have a web server installed.
So off to the cafe i go,to download Apache and abyss webservers.(to download iis tomorrow). After its downloaded and installed,my codes still don't work,ok lacking php,so back to the cafe again to download phpmyadmin from php.net,i come back and follow the procedures in its documentation in installing it on a web server(my choice being abyss x1,cos Apache keeps giving me and error when trying to configure it-the twits forgot to add a howto or any documentation on its usage.").

Still no show,worst,on the abyss web server,i  put the phpmyadmin folder into the server root folder and my httpdoc folder but still no prompt for user or password as specified when u rewrite the config.inc file and open index.php.

Worst still,my first php code does not display on my browser or on the design view for dreamweaver.

At this point,i'm as confused as i might have also ended up in confusing some of u viewing this.

So if any out there understands what i wrote and can please explain what the best procedure,tools or webservers to use in working and learning php on a local pc,please explain.
Thanks.

Hello cj1080, yes IIS can run php, if you are using xp then you will be using IIS 5.1, if you are using vista then you will be using IIS7.

First you need to download windows binaries for php from php.net website, you will need to follow the instruction properly I can't explain it all for you its just too long. Just go on google and type in installing php on IIS there will be many instruction on how to do it. Just make sure you put the dll files in the right place and make sure you use isapi_filter for php.

Your other option is the use XAMPP, its the simplest way to install Apache server running on a windows machine. I for one will use Apache, download ubuntu and partition your pc, Ubuntu is a linux software, but that's if you wanna be adventurous

Dude,
I dont know a better way to say this than,

STOP WASTING YOUR TIME AND PUNISHING YOUR SELF!!!!

Go off to your cyber cafe, do as the second poster said and download wamp server.
The next time you post you will be thanking him and apologising for ignoring him the first time!

 Way to go Dude!
When you get home, and install wamp, you will see a semi circle icon on the system tray(right hand side of the status bar) . Click on it and a pop up window comes up.
Select Start all services option to launch apache and mysql server. MAKE SURE NO OTHER SERVER LIKE IIS IS ON, as only one web server can run at a time. . .
To get to local host home page, just click on localhost option on the pop up menu.
To view your php files store them in the web directory which you can access easily from the pop-up menu and view via the localhost page.

If you got any other problem, just say my name!

Ladies and gentleman,thank you thank you. Your ll too kind.

The php pages have started behaving well,i had already laid out the cane to flog them, if they didn't work. But alas the work.

Though i don't understand most of wat's on the control panel for wamp,but i'll sit down and learn em.

Any other problem,i'll let the lads in the house know.

Also,some one was of the impression that i should learn the sql factor before i jump into php. What do u think lads,cos i see a lot of sql jibberish and options,in wamp that i don't know about.

Should i,or should i just plow into php with my trailer at fuller speed.

Honest I used to think like this, but I use IIS on windows server 2003 and php/mysql works fine on it, does not take long to set up neither, only down side you may not be able to write shell script, but they are other options anyway.

people just need to open there eyes, I work on php and .net and now starting to view things from a different perspective.

Yeah you are right I know what you mean, I really don't like installing other applications on my system
its a bit of a night mare, but to be honest, if you just want to run php/mysql, then my advice don't use IIS its a bit of a pain to instore, IIS only works perfectly for .net or asp only.

LOL, what ever that means, but nicely said yawa, first time I decided to use IIS and run php, I was gonna tear my hair out, its madness, and the only reason I use IIS is cus I do .net apart from that, I hate Microsoft

Interesting that dhtml, I have never used WAMP or XAMPP, I use a linux box which comes with LAMP, and its just much easier to use than using windows. Am not a big fan of windows, I use ubuntu at home, every thing is free don't have to pay through my nose for anything.

Do install WAMP on windows like similar to XAMPP?

Hello cj1080,

If you are using xp pro, then you will be using iis5.1 then you can try this tutorial http://www.webpronews.com/expertarticles/2006/06/19/installing-php-on-iis-windows-xp-pro

This will show you step by step you need to follow to install php, please don't rush it and take your time, once you have done this,  you will find it really easy to use, I hope the stupid spam bot don't remove my post.

Hope this helps you solve your issue

yes ooo dhtml, it's like a first time user tutorial you can't go wrong with it, no point complicating things simple and straight forward is the way forward.

Thanks mates,big ups.