In last week’s post, I mentioned about running a locally installed WordPress on your PC (running Windows, if you are running on another OS, this may not cut it for you) as test environment. Now, some of you might be asking if it’s really very hard to do so. Well, the truth is, its really not very hard. Let me show you how to run a WordPress Test Environment with WAMPServer 2.0.
First of all, we need to get the necessary software. Basically, to run WordPress, you’ll need a web server like Apache, MySQL, and PHP. Why I decide to use Apache as the web server? Well, it you are running you WordPress solution on a hosted site, it is more than likely that your site is running on Apache. And now, some of you will probably go “Huh? Apache? MySQL? PHP? That’s a lot of installation and configuration to do.” Don’t fret, just read on. I assure you, it’s really very simple.
How can it be simple when you need to install all those software and configure them? Well, the solution lies in a package called WAMPServer 2.0. It’s short for Windows, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. It’s your one stop package to install and configure Apache, MySQL and PHP. Just like a 3 in 1 sachet of coffee or tea. WAMPServer is your 3 in 1 sachet of a Web Development Environment.
WampServer is a Windows web development environment. It allows you to create web applications with Apache, PHP and the MySQL database. It also comes with PHPMyAdmin and SQLiteManager to easily manage your databases.
So, go get WAMPServer 2.0. Once you’ve downloaded it into your PC, run the EXE file to begin installation. It’ll first warn you about installing it over an older WAMP5 (its’ previous incarnation) installation. Ignore it if you’re sure this is the first time you’ve ever installed such packages into your PC. Just click on the “Yes” button, and you’re of to creating your development environment. Just sit back and relax (keep your hands on the mouse, though, you’ll need to click on a few more buttons). It’ll be over soon.
You’ll then be presented with a number of screens.
- The Welcome Screen – Just click”Next”
- License Agreement Screen – Select “I Accept..” and click “Next”
- Destination Location Screen – Modify location as desired and click “Next”
- Additional Task Screen – Click “Next”
- Ready To Install Screen – Click “Install”
Of all these screens, the one where you might want to change is the Destination Screen, although yo don’t really have to. If you are of the type that like to have your applications installed in a certain location, then modify the location in this screen to your liking. Once you’ve changed the location, click “Next”.
Once you’re done with the installation, you’ll see a new icon (a speedometer like icon) in your Windows Tray (over at the bottom right corner). Click on the icon and you’ll see the WAMPServer user interface menu. It’s a pretty small but nifty menu. That’s what you’ll be using to manage your web development environment. You can change many of the configuration for your Apache, MySQL and PHP from this menu. It’s your “One Interface to Rule ‘Em All”.
You now have Apache, MySQL and PHP installed, configured and running in your machine. All done in just a few clicks of the mouse button. Isn’t that just great?
We’re not done yet, however. Before you can run WordPress, you still need to prepare a database in MySQL for WordPress to use. Now, that will be covered in a future posting.
Stay tuned for Part II of Running a WordPress Test Environment with WAMPServer 2.0.
For now, go get your WAMPServer 2.0 installed and play around with the interface.