Building websites, using Web Applications.

[George]

Xampp (and the other packages mentioned here) is a collection of software that turns your local PC into a webserver. Xampp e.g. comes with Apache, PHP, MySql and some other server software. Once you have installed and started it, your PC is the webserver. You don't even need an Internet connection to work with it. You can develop your website completely locally. The link to your local webserver is "http://localhost".

Apache and PHP are interpreting your files. In my previous example the PHP code connects to your local database server (indicated by the first parameter of the function mysql_connect).

PHP Code:

$connection = mysql_connect("localhost", "myusername", "mypassword"); 


After that it accesses a certain table and reads information from it. Then it prints the information. "Printing" in this case means that it prepares the html page code that will be sent to the requesting browser when the page is processed. The database server is returning the information to the PHP program that is asking for it.

Your hoster will provide an own webserver and database server for you. You don't need Xampp for running your web pages on your hosters sever. You only have to copy your html/php files to your hosters webserver (using an FTP program for example). Once you have copied your files there, the hosters server will run them when you point your browser to your domain.

When your files are executed on your hosters server, the address "localhost" is looking for a database server on the, as the name suggests, local host (your hosters server).

Sometimes hosters are installing database servers on different machines than the web server. In that case your hoster will tell you what the DB server address is, e.g. "db.hoster.com" or something like that. "Localhost" would not work in that case as you can imagine.

I personally develop my web applications locally first. When it runs fine on my computer I copy all files to my hosters webserver and see how it works there. Before I copy the files I change those files where I need to change addresses (like the address of the DB server).

There is a chance that your hoster is running different versions of PHP and MySQL. Sometimes that leads to errors or different results.

The advantage of developing locally first is that you don't have to upload each file after each change to test it. You also don't need an Internet connection so you can even develop on trains, planes and at other places where you do not have that access.

Your hoster will most probably provide you with an online access to your database so you can create your databases and tables. In many cases it is phpMyAdmin which also comes with Xampp. So you might already know how to work with it.

[wdhpr]

George

thank you, thank you, thank you

I was so lost. This puts things into perspective.

I agree with you. I will do this localy first.

Cheers
Wdhpr

[wdhpr]

Ok I installed xampp.

Its was so much easier to do in linux but also managed to install it on my windows too.

I downloaded wordpress and tried to access mysql. I keep getting an error on line 28 which is my DB host name. Any suggestions? I tried my localhost no joy.
Meanwhile I will still try to solve this problem on my own.

Cheers
Wdhpr

[George]

You have to make sure first that you start the Apache and MySQL server. You can do that in the Xampp Control Panel. It should look like this after that:



Your aplications need to access your database via hostname, username and password. The Xampp default ist 'localhost', 'root', '' (no password). Standard port is 3306. If you haven't changed it you don't need to specify.

I haven't worked with Wordpress yet. Are you running an installation script to install it when the error occurs?

[wdhpr]

Hi George

Yes I have both apache and mysql running I use fireftp so I dont need fillezilla.
When I click on apache admin it launches my browser and I then have access to my phpadmin. All seem to work fine. I am using wordpress because I have no Idea how to put together a website from scratch so I thought I could use the templates provided with wordpress.

What Im trying to do is build a site locally but haven't figured out how to build my tables (I believe they are called) If I had a templete I could use that as way to get started. I have much to learn

The documentation in wordpress assumes the user has experience with this stuff....not real good for beginners.

I would like to know how to install a template to mySQL db via my local host and then see the resulting webpage from there I think I will be able to see how all the nuts and bolts go together.
I am sorry I know I sound like a super nubie.

[George]

As I said, I don't know Wordpress.

But if you want to use a framework for building a website why don't you go with Joomla. It is a very good CMS and easy to install. The installation also creates all tables for you.

Download Joomla here: http://www.joomla.org/

Create a folder in you Xampp htdocs folder. Then extract the Joomla files in there. Let's say you called the folder '..\xampp\htdocs\mysite', than after copying the Joomla files in there go to your browser and point to
http://localhost/mysite

The Joomla installation routine will start automatically. There is also a lot of Joomla documentation available.

[wdhpr]

As I said, I don't know Wordpress.

But if you want to use a framework for building a website why don't you go with Joomla. It is a very good CMS and easy to install. The installation also creates all tables for you.

Download Joomla here: http://www.joomla.org/

Create a folder in you Xampp htdocs folder. Then extract the Joomla files in there. Let's say you called the folder '..\xampp\htdocs\mysite', than after copying the Joomla files in there go to your browser and point to
http://localhost/mysite

The Joomla installation routine will start automatically. There is also a lot of Joomla documentation available.
__________________
Best regards, George

George

you are now my hero.

I did as you said above. EUREKA

I know my questions may seem rudimentary to someone with experience. But I could not understand how to install wordpress by editing the config php files.
(it just wouldn't work)
I did manage to install xampp and create my database but got stuck with wordpress. I have noticed the language used with these programs mimics that which I am dealing with as I learn the linux command line. I will try to keep this is mind as I forge ahead.

PS: Been playing around with joomla for about 15 minutes and I can tell I am really going to like it.
again thanks

Cheers
Wdhpr

[wdhpr]

PS: Been playing around with joomla for about 15 minutes and I can tell I am really going to like it.
again thanks

Well I might have to eat my words. It maybe my lack of know how, but what I see is a website builder that's more interested in advertising their product than making a personal website. Anyone ever use joomla? Am I explaining this accurately.

Wordpress is pretty straight forward. Lots of templates that allow the user to modify to their hearts content. Also doesn't try to advertise their software on your front page.
I'm still exploring the inner workings and will update my experiences

Cheers
Wdhpr

[George]

Joomla is a Content Management System. The initial installation comes with a complete set of articles and menus to show what's possible. You can easily change or delete the articles you don't need. I find it ok that Joomla promotes itself on its default installation. Once you get the hang of it you can do nearly everything with it. Don't give up so easy.

But of course, if you like Wordpress better go with it. It is your website, your design. Use what you like best. It's all about fun and feeling good about it in the end.

[wdhpr]

Again it maybe my inexperience.

I see how to clear the page. But it appears I have to choose two items that remain associated with joomla. Again I'm still playing around with the program. Reading up on things as I go.
Regardless there is a steep learning curve for the newbies.

Cheers
Wdhpr