PHP Installation

There are several ways to install PHP, depending on your specific needs and setup. Here are some popular options you can explore:

1. Local Development:

XAMPP/MAMP/LAMP: These are bundled software packages containing Apache web server, MySQL database server, PHP interpreter (and other tools), making them ideal for local development environments. They are easy to install and use, providing a complete web server setup. Composer: This is a dependency manager for PHP, allowing you to easily install and manage required libraries and frameworks for your project. It works alongside a separate web server (like Apache or Nginx) and PHP installation.

2. Hosting Provider:

Most shared hosting providers offer PHP pre-installed on their servers. You won't need to handle the installation yourself; however, you might have limited control over the specific PHP version and configuration. Cloud hosting providers (like DigitalOcean, AWS) often offer different server images with pre-configured software stacks, including PHP. This provides more control than shared hosting but requires some technical knowledge to set up and manage.

3. Manual Installation:

This approach involves downloading the PHP source code and compiling it yourself. It offers the most control over the installation process but requires significant technical expertise. It's generally not recommended unless you have specific needs for a customized PHP environment.

Start Where?

To execute PHP code, you need access to a web server where PHP runs.

Your main options are:

• Install Apache and PHP or Install WAMP, LAMP, MAMP, or XAMPP according to your OS.

• After installation, you need to run and start the Apache Server and PHP from your program list and then type http://localhost in your web browser to start working.

• In the Apache installation folder, you will find the www folder, where you can save PHP files and create your project folder inside the www folder.

or

• Find a web hosting plan with Apache, PHP, and MySQL support, and Run your PHP scripts on your Web host.