view index.php file from my machine?

[paulmo]

my method now is to write index.html with php code snippets in notepad, view html/css changes in ie (php doesn't show), ftp to godaddy server, rename index.php, php appears on website.

 

i've downloaded/extracted php 5 and apache 2.2.6, rename file index.php, but when opening that file get quickly small, flashing/disappearing black dialogue box (like safe mode).

 

(also unable to see js code snippets previewing in ie--but that's not as important now)

 

surely people view changes in their browser immediately using php/js instead of having to upload to host-server then edit?

 

thanks, this is huge!

[Daniel0]

For that you'll need to install Apache and PHP on your computer (MySQL would be a good idea as well). A combination of Windows, Apache, PHP and MySQL is abbreviated WAMP. Similarly is Apache, PHP and MySQL on Linux called LAMP. You can choose to install a WAMP software bundle yourself by installing the individual components manually or you can choose a packaged solution which will install everything for you. A popular one seems to be xampp but there is a comparison of some WAMPs here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_WAMPs

 

When you have that installed you'll place your PHP file within a folder called the "document root" and then you can access it by going to http://localhost or http://127.0.0.1. The document root can differ. It can be something like C:\apache2\htdocs on Windows and /home/user/public_html or /var/www on Linux. If you choose a packaged solution consult the readme file or documentation for more detailed information.

[paulmo]

thanks for the responses--just need to set this stuff up looks like--already in c: programs--able to see js as well with php/apache/mysql?