PHP and SQL help Options

[bcmaurer]

I have created a basic website, and I want to add some databasing to save me from adding html to multiple pages and so that I can easily update it.

I would like to use PHP and MySQL to do this.

Right now, my web host does not support either of these. I am looking to upgrade at 1 point, but I would like to learn about it before I start paying more.

Is there any way for me to donwload the PHP and SQL and start using it offline. Like can I write all my files and then just check it through my local host and not through an online webserver?

Any help or suggestions would be really appreciated. Basically I just want to test if my php and sql files work without having to load them to a server everytime I make a little change.

thanks a lot

[Brian Chandler]

(1) Please do not post the same question in two places.

(2) Yes, you can install a web server (e.g. Apache) on your own computer, then install PHP and MySQL, so everything runs locally. I suspect this process is a bit more complicated than installing say a text editor - if you are going to get a hosting service, I would think it is easiest to start writing immediately to run on the host. There are various setting options for PHP in particular, and if you are not an expert, you would typically want to copy the web server's settings on your own installation. (E.g. "Turn off magicslashes" or whatever it's called.)