Localhost doc - Critique please?
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- Jonah Bron
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Localhost doc - Critique please?
Hi,
I made a doc on how to setup a localhost on one's comp. I sent it to a moderator (Everah) to be posted under "Tutorials", who suggested I post it here for critique. Well?
http://nucleussystems.com/blog/network/localhost.php
I made a doc on how to setup a localhost on one's comp. I sent it to a moderator (Everah) to be posted under "Tutorials", who suggested I post it here for critique. Well?
http://nucleussystems.com/blog/network/localhost.php
Good idea. I noticed that the folder name of your Apache installation and its location in a Windows directory tree is quite different from the default installation that I used when I installed Apache on Windows a year or two ago. It may require a bit of research to find out what it currently is, and perhaps you should mention that the location and folder name might be different, depending on when Apache was installed, or maybe where you obtained the download.
- Jonah Bron
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It's interesting that our installation directories for both Apache and PHP are so different. Perhaps because of the versions. I used the defaults in all cases, since I had no knowledge of any reason to do it differently. My Apache was installed in C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache\ (my old Apache 1.2 or whatever it is) and C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\ and my PHP installed in C:\PHP\ (not under Program Files). So be sure you either know for sure that the current versions install the way you described, or mention that it might be different, as you did for Apache.
It's a good effort and I think some people will find it very helpful.
It's a good effort and I think some people will find it very helpful.
I think when you download php, a php.ini file is not available. I think there's two, php.ini-recommended and php.ini-dist, of which you have to rename one of them to just php.ini.
I didn't see that mentioned.
I didn't see that mentioned.
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- Christopher
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- Jonah Bron
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Not sure. But, on windows, you have to rename.PHPyoungster wrote:is the php.ini-recommended and php.ini-dist on unix? I ask, because when I installed php, (windows) there was no renaming or anything.![]()
I changed the title, as you suggested, arborint. Thanks so far.
Set Search Time - A google chrome extension. When you search only results from the past year (or set time period) are displayed. Helps tremendously when using new technologies to avoid outdated results.
- Jonah Bron
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- CoderGoblin
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Personally I would just download and install Xampp 
- superdezign
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Then you miss out on being able to understand how to set up Apache and PHP, which is useful to know, especially when applying for jobs as a PHP developer.CoderGoblin wrote:Personally I would just download and install Xampp
- CoderGoblin
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Whilst this is true, for any tutorial, mention should be given to alternatives. Just looking at the title with "localhost" suggests a testing environment which normally you want set up quickly and the same each time if you need to recreate it. More detail would be required for a live system regarding things like security settings etc. Having installed Apache and PHP on both Linux and windows loads of times I now go for the easiest method when needing a testing environment.
Getting basic information such as that provided by phpinfo() is always a useful thing to know, not least to check which php.ini is actually being used if you have a couple scattered around.
Getting basic information such as that provided by phpinfo() is always a useful thing to know, not least to check which php.ini is actually being used if you have a couple scattered around.
Very, very true. If I had setup a preconfigured apache/php/mysql, I would'nt have known anything when I went to edit files and change configurations. Reading all of the setup files and what they do is a huge +. I'd keep your tutorial as is, I wouldn't even put in links to alternative "bundle" packages, as suggested. Everything is about learning! and there's no better way to learn than doing everything manually.superdezign wrote:Then you miss out on being able to understand how to set up Apache and PHP, which is useful to know, especially when applying for jobs as a PHP developer.CoderGoblin wrote:Personally I would just download and install Xampp
Set Search Time - A google chrome extension. When you search only results from the past year (or set time period) are displayed. Helps tremendously when using new technologies to avoid outdated results.
- CoderGoblin
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Agree in principal but the tutorial introduction states....scottayy wrote:Everything is about learning! and there's no better way to learn than doing everything manually.
not "whilst there are alternative methods this will step you through the process to enable you to understand what is going on...".tutorial wrote:This page goes through the steps of installing APACHE web server, and PHP.
I know it's a case of symantics but an important one. Are we trying to get something working here or teach. If we are trying to teach at the same time, a simple "Do this followed by this" doesn't work without some additional background information. At its simplest level this additional information could be links to other web sites containing the necessary information. I guess to sum up my feelings, in it's current state this is a simple guide rather than a tutorial.
Examples of additional information required include...
What is the purpose of the php.ini file and what is it responsible for ?
What sort of things are extensions ?
What is localhost (some mention of IP address 127.0.0.1 etc here would be useful) ?
should actually include a php file example that should work e.g.tutorial wrote:Now, try some PHP!..
Code: Select all
<?php phpinfo(); ?>Whilst it may be obvious to many that this is a "testing" environment, to beginners it may not be and this should be mentioned.
Hope I'm not putting you off PHPyoungster. We need more people like you to add useful tutorials.
- Jonah Bron
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Receiving info..processing...beep...beep...processing complete
you don't like it? (snif snif)
I'm trying to make this sort of a preperational tut for the ultimate: Setting up a web host (once I get a server comp. and figure it out). I will do what you said, CoderGoblin, and add the <?php phpinfo(); ?>, and the fact that there are other alternatives. Thanks.
I'm trying to make this sort of a preperational tut for the ultimate: Setting up a web host (once I get a server comp. and figure it out). I will do what you said, CoderGoblin, and add the <?php phpinfo(); ?>, and the fact that there are other alternatives. Thanks.