I need to install WordPress locally in Windows, but not for (plugin and other PHP) development purposes. Many years ago, I first installed WAMP. Apparently WAMP does not exist anymore. I find many articles about WAMP Server but the description indicates it is for development purposes. That could work but I am trying to limit how much is installed.
Perhaps the confusion is the definition of Web development platform. If that is referring to use of WordPress with no plugin and theme (PHP) development then it is probably what I am looking for.
I want to give instructions to someone else that is familiar with WordPress but that is not a programmer. The least technical instructions would be best. The Wampserver - Files and addons page is quite intimidating for the non-technical person but I can help guide her. Is that where to start?
No, the development statement is simply to indicate that it should not be considered for use in a production (full-scale) environment. It wasn’t built with the intent of serving pages to the general public. It’s functional but not scalable.
Yes, you can definitely use WAMP Server to set up a local WordPress site on Windows, even if your intention is not for development purposes but rather for general use or testing. Although WAMP Server is commonly associated with web development, it is also perfectly suitable for running WordPress locally without involving any advanced PHP or plugin development. To simplify the process for someone who is familiar with WordPress but not technically inclined, you should start with WAMP Server. This software bundles all the necessary components—Apache, MySQL, and PHP—into a single package, making it relatively easy to install and use. Begin by downloading and installing WAMP Server from its official website. After installation, you can download WordPress, place it in the www directory of WAMP, create a database through WAMP’s phpMyAdmin interface, and then run the WordPress installation. This setup will allow the person to work with WordPress locally without the complexity of dealing with development tools or coding. Providing clear, step-by-step instructions for each part of the process can help make the setup as straightforward as possible.
and now that ChatGPT has given you the forum post equivalent of empty air…
If you’re going for full lazyness, slap XAMPP on the system, push the run buttons (if you didnt set it to auto-start), stick files in the right directory, and let Wordpress install itself.
A big reason that this is not recommended for any sort of production site is less about scalability and more about security. Something like WAMP or XAMPP will give you a working development environment in minutes. It won’t give you a secure environment, though.
Thank you. That should have been clear to me but it was not.
That describes WAMP but the documentation I see for WAMP Server seem more complicated.
The specific person I wanted to help has become distracted and currently not relevant. I hope this discussion helps others.
For the moment my intent is to install Apache HTTPD, Maria DB and PHP separately then install WordPress. Certainly there is value in knowing how to do that. WAMP Server does seem to be advantageous for development purposes.
Would Docker Desktop be a viable alternative?
I ask because I’m still not clear what the use case is here. You say a local set-up, but not for development purposes.
Not for development may infer a live, public production site. But perhaps you mean this person won’t be working on the code of the local site.
I used to use WAMP for a local dev environment, but now use Docker for that instead. I’ve never made a WP site, but certaily there is an official Docker image for WP available. So it may be used to set up a WP site locally.
Perhaps. I have tried to understand what Docker is and nothing I read clarifies my understanding. If there was a Docker image (whatever they are called) that a person can simply download and install as easily as WAMP (not WAMP Server) to install the Apache server, a database system and PHP then it could be useful, certainly for others. I am reluctant to use it or suggest it for others.
For development of WordPress websites, yes, but not development of plugins and such. No PHP or JavaScript development. I was confused because I think of development as being programming but in this context development refers to websites.
Installation of WordPress locally could be useful for learning WordPress. Also if a person wanted to develop a WordPress site and they were to be the only one that needs to view it then it need not be in a server, it could be local. Later when they have something for others to see then they could upload the site to a server.
Here is what I have done. I first realized that the website that IIS creates has no value. I stopped using it. It is the website that uses port 80. Therefore I can let XAMPP use port 80. Then I created a WordPress site as a subsite. It is quite easy that way. I think I used How to Install XAMPP and WordPress Locally on Windows PC for doing all that.