Local Machine, or external Host?

[MilchstrabeStern]

How do you test your PHP apps/scripts?

Personally I've always used my Host, and just uploaded the files and checked them in the browser. But I was sheltered, and wasn't even aware PHP could be installed on my personal machine. Plus, I always thought it would be a major hassle to install php, mysql, apache, I never found the motivation to do it.

What do you guys do, and why?

[champ]

I do most work on localhost PC. It's more convenient.

My localhost config:
apache_2.0.46-win32-x86-no_src.msi
php-4.4.0-Win32.zip
mysql-essential-4.1.13-win32.msi

Windows File Layout:
C:\Server\Apache2\bin
C:\Server\Apache2\conf\httpd.conf
C:\Server\Apache2\...etc, etc, etc

C:\Server\PHP4_4_0
C:\Server\PHP4_4_0\extensions
C:\Server\PHP4_4_0\php.ini
C:\Server\PHP4_4_0\...etc, etc, etc

C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 4.1
C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 4.1\my.ini
C:\WINDOWS\my.ini

my apache httpd.conf document root:
DocumentRoot "D:/home/html"

When reformatting windows, backup the following:
C:\Server\Apache2\conf\httpd.conf
C:\Server\PHP4_4_0\php.ini
C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 4.1\my.ini
C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 4.1\data\*
C:\WINDOWS\my.ini

Installation of the above testing environment is just a matter of installing apache, mysql, and unzipping PHP. The whole process takes about 2 minutes.

[Tyssen]

Get yourself a copy of XAMPP and you'll be up and running in no time.

[MonsterMuddy]

I use localhost, and remote when im lazy.

[clamcrusher]

local machine.

when im coding it drives me nuts to have the ftp the file every tiny change i make.

i develop on my local box, and then give it a good test on the production server.

[jandk]

I hope it is ok if I add questions to this thread.

I checked my test version of mysql (IB Server product), and it is at version 3. r937 has been assisting me in some DB queries which have not worked due to me being on version 3. I checked out the link above (XAMPP), installed the software, and have a few questions.

1) After the install, I was asked if I wanted these as services? What does this mean?

2) I have been using IB Server. I place all my files in a folder called "www". Where do I place my files using XAMPP so I can see them using a browser at "localhost"?

Thank you.

[Ernie1]

Apache 2.0.54
php-4.4.0-Win32.zip
mysql 5.0.18
phpMyAdmin 2.7.0-pl2

They all work like a charm on my local machine.
I wouldn't even think it to work on my host because it's hard to check errors and the coding would take a lot of time.

[Immerse]

I test my stuff mostly on another PC within my network at home (a crappy old slo-mo laptop), it's easy 'cos I can map the web folders to a share on my proper PC. After about every 16 or so hours of development, I upload everything to my host and then do some pretty thorough testing there to make sure everything works as expected on linux-type platforms.

I'm almost at the point now where I think I'll install Ubuntu or something onto the laptop, as that might be more representative of a 'real-life' situation.

[Dark Tranquility]

I test on my local machines I use easy PHP: http://www.easyphp.org/?lang=en

[CrazyTux]

I use an external host, although I useto develop locally, and I must say it improves development deployment time alot, although currently the box that I useto develop on is fried, so I program in editplus + nice little nifty upload feature, to auto keep track of client/server files and upload... makes it with ease, so I like it for the time being, while I do not have the time to sit down and setup a local dev. environment.

[MilchstrabeStern]

Since I started this thread I've installed PHP 5, MySQL 5, and Apache 2 onto my Windows machine (WAMP). I MUCH prefer being able to hit ctrl + s and view my script. Not having to use an FTP program to upload my files, just for testing, has helped a ton. Although I could use dreamweaver to auto upload.

[jandk]

Thanks for the replies. Any thoughts to question #2? I think I will continue to use my laptop/notebook for testing. I travel quite a bit. The server on my computer works well when I'm on a plane. I can work on things in-flight. So since I will continue to do this, where would I place my files?

Thanks.

[MilchstrabeStern]

Wherever you set the directory to in the apache config file (I think?). I think the default is a /www/. So when you type localhost/ in your browser, that will be the directory.

[cranial-bore]

Any thoughts to question #2?

The htdocs folder in the apache directory (wherever you installed it) is where documents are served from.
Thus http://localhost/ will by default serve ...Apache/htdocs/index.html

Also, if you haven't already, you should edit your apache config file to treat index.php files as a valid index. Just look for the line that says index.html and append to it.

When I was starting PHP I uploaded each time and essentially built my first site online. Bad idea, as it cost about $200 in dial up usage charges.

I wouldn't even consider being without a local setup now. Also dual monitors can help too, code on the left, browser on the right and you can see your changes more quickly.

[HarryR]

At the moment I'm using both a local Apache/PHP/MySQL instance for testing, as well as a 'nearly production' environment setup using VMWare with the same os/packages/setup as the production environment.

[spikeZ]

online host.
Purely because the host is running linux and I am running XP/IIS, they have php 4.xx and I have php5, they have GD2.x and I have something entirely different, I have error reporting set to maximum they have it at low. So basically my localhost would behave VERY differently to the server.

So writing the site that would run on my machine perfectly and bug free might not work on my server because of incompatability so I might as well write it once and ftp it.

[jandk]

Thanks. I found the folder and changed the index file name to index1 to force a directory if I had the right folder and file. I received the directory on the web page. So that's good and will place my files there.

FYI - the server files are located in htdocs folder but not in the apache directory. It followed this path: xampp\htdocs\xampp\index.php. Just thought you'd like to know.

Also, one other question, I had another local server as I mentioned before. When I installed XAMPP, the DB was directed to my previous DB. When I click on the new phpAdmin, all my DB data is there and I haven't loaded anything. Could someone please explain why this happened? Did XAMPP look for an existing DB when it was installed and point to it?

Thank you all.