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XAMPP, the new LAMP hotness
XAMPP is an easy to install web server distribution containing Apache, MySQL, PHP and Perl. It claims to be a snap to use and install. After I got through clicking like 20 times to find the actual file download link on the XAMPP site (hosted at sourceforge), which irritated me a bit, the process got a bit better. You can download three different versions of the file, the installer (32MB), the zip file (86MB), or the self-extracting executable (28MB), all with MD5 checksums. The software package you get with this download includes these fine modules: Apache HTTPD 2.2.3, MySQL 5.0.24a, PHP 5.1.6 + 4.4.4 + PEAR + Switch, MiniPerl 5.8.7, Openssl 0.9.8c, phpMyAdmin 2.8.2.4, XAMPP Control Panel 2.3, Webalizer 2.01-10, Mercury Mail Transport System for Win32 and NetWare Systems v4.01a, FileZilla FTP Server 0.9.18, SQLite 2.8.15, ADODB 4.91, Zend Optimizer 3.0.1, XAMPP Security. The full install on my Windows machine ate up about 218MB of hard disk space, which is quite good for all that software in one shot. I found myself as happy as a kid with a 6LB. box of chocolates and no one else around. Luckily, I didn't have to know anything about the guts of the programs running, and XAMPP even offered to install and run all the services I needed, which it also succeeded at starting, which is a rare thing for all of them to work on the first try. Many times these LAMP-like installs go awry in some way, but XAMPP looks to be in control in this regard. At first I thought, oh great, all I need is one more LAMP to install and put up with, but honestly, it was the easiest install and start-up I have ever done. Most enjoyable indeed. If your LAMP needs an upgrade, XAMPP is a new light bulb.
Comments
7
Subscribe to commentsCalumOct 6th 2006 9:33AM
Ive been using Xampp for months, tis awsome, apart from some of the documentaion being in German, the online form community is rather hot as well!! The phpmyadmin skin is a nice change from the tradional pale blue one!!!
BillOct 6th 2006 9:33AM
I use XAMPP as a local development environment on my main XP Pro machine and it works great out of the box, as you've said. To make startup and shutdown easier, I've created shortcuts on my desktop for Apache and MYSQL start and stop. XAMPP is not intended for use as a production web server and as you've noted, it's pretty large.
I also use Uniform Server, which is another inclusive web server distribution that's much more slender. At around 6 MB it can easily fit only even small USB sticks and memory cards for those needing a portable webserver and it was intended for use in a development or production environment. For me it also runs flawlessly and with the exception of one variable (I decided to use the "U" letter for my virtual server location, requiring a small config file modification), runs out of the box without install or complicated setup.
http://www.uniformserver.com/
Both XAMPP and Uniform Server can easily be configured for virtual hosting so you can operate as many sites as you want. I use both often and recommend them equally.
danbeeOct 6th 2006 12:52PM
A similar one for Windows is WAMP, which I've been using recently for local PHP/MySQL development.
http://www.wampserver.com/en/
AndrewOct 6th 2006 12:58PM
I've been using XAMPP for years now. Recently I've started using XAMPP Lite and Eclipse and running them from my thumb drive so that I can carry my development environment with me. It's the perfect solution.
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html#646
BobOct 6th 2006 7:02PM
It's hardly LAMP if it runs on Windows, is it? The L in LAMP stands for Linux.
Ryan CarterOct 6th 2006 7:04PM
@Bob
If you'll notice it also runs on Linux. Moot point.
AnonymousOct 7th 2006 9:49AM
Learn to use linux. The LAMP setup runs more efficiently without the bloat of windows + all those excess extensions that you won't use.