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Installing and Configuring a WAMP Server on

Your Computer
MYSQL PHP TOOLS 3 Aug 18, 2011 2 By Jeff Orloff C 23 Comments

There are times when we are so anxious to jump into creating something new that we
forget to cover the basics. For web developers it is important, actually vital, to have
the ability to test your projects locally before they go live.
While much of the web relies on a Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP stack, or LAMP, to power
applications and dynamic websites, not everyone codes in a Linux environment.

Those who prefer Windows can still replicate how their code will work by using WAMP to
replicate a live web environment right on their own computer with the only difference being
substituting the Linux operating system in the stack for Windows.

Obtain a copy of WAMP

Before you do anything you need to download WAMP from
http://www.wampserver.com/en/download.php. You will have the option to choose wither a 32
or 64-bit environment depending upon your computers configuration. In addition to Apache,
PHP and MySQL this download includes phpMyAdmin and SQLBuddy to better help you
manage your databases through web based GUI rather than having to use a terminal interface.

Install the software

Once you have downloaded and uncompressed your WAMP executable you will need to go
ahead and launch it to start the installation process.
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When you click next you will be asked to accept the license agreement. Since it is a GPL
license you are free to do just about anything with it so you can go ahead and accept.

The next step requires you to select the folder where you would like to install your WAMP
server. The default will be c:\wamp however you can change this to install the server into any
directory or partition you choose.

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Chose where to install the software

After you choose your directory you will have the option to setup icons. Once you decide on
this click Next and then confirm the installation settings again by clicking Install.

Once the installation runs its course you will be asked to choose your default browser. Internet
Explorer is the default choice but you can navigate your way to any other browser of your
choosing.

NB if your Windows firewall pops up at this point make sure to grant Apache access.

The next decision you will have to make is to set the PHP mail parameters. Many people leave
this set to the defaults when setting up a testing server on their local computer. If you wish to
configure it to connect to your SMTP server you may do so here but unless you plan on testing
email capabilities the default entries can be left and all you need to do is click Next.

Setting the SMTP server (optional)

Congratulations, WAMP is now installed on your local computer.

Testing the installation

Now that everything has been installed lets test everything out.

Using one of the icons you created, or Start > All Programs > WampServer > start
WampServer, you can launch the management console. Once opened, it will appear in the
lower right hand corner of your screen.

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The WAMP management
console

If WAMP is not started go ahead and click Start All Services. If you are not sure whether or not
WAMP is running, look for the small green W icon in your toolbar. If it is red, WAMP services
are stopped, green means everything is running while orange means some services are
running.

Now we want to test to see if everything was installed correctly. In the WAMP management
console, click on Localhost. If you see the following screen pop up in your browser then
everything is working!

WAMP services are running

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Configuring phpMyAdmin
The last step is to set a password for phpMyAdmin. Many people forgo this step because the
server is not going to be live so they dont see the need to protect the database if it is only
sample data. You can decide what practice to follow.

In order to change the password you will need to navigate to your phpMyAdmin file, located at
C:/wamp/apps/phpmyadmin3.x.x and open the config.inc.php file for editing.

Once opened, navigate to the lines that read,

$cfg['Servers'][$i]['user'] = 'root';
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['password'] = 'xxxxx';
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['AllowNoPassword'] = true;

Where the example reads xxxxx insert your password. Under AllowNoPassword, change
the value to false.

What do I do next?
Now that everything is installed and working you can upload test websites to your root or even
install third-party web applications like WordPress, Moodle, Drupal, etc. to this location. You
now have a sandbox in which to work on your development projects! Have fun with it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff is a freelance writer and the editor of Developer Drive. He writes on web development
topics with a focus on web application security. In his spare time he coaches youth football
and works as a technology coordinator for the Palm Beach County school district.

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Cagray8955

This is Charmaine.. I just added a comment earlier today.. I am getting closer to

getting it figured out. I don't like to bother people when I know they are busy. thanks

Alan Smith

As per me Testing and Security both are the major parts of server. what do you say
all?

akhil

when i click on Localhost. there is no screen pop up in browser ....

how can i over come this

Dynasty Punkrock

If you have Skype running, turn it off and click "restart all services" on WAMP
management console. The logo will turn green and you can turn Skype back on
ft d Did th t i k f

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