Test you site on your own PC. XAMPP

[Michaelo]

The best way to debug sites and test mods, templates etc., is to install XAMPP on your home computer. This provides a method of operating a local host including all the bells and whistles (apache , myqql, phpmyadmin all latest versions).

Download and install XAMPP (Win/Linux version), follow the install instructions and you are off to the racesà¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¦

Windows Link: http://www.apachefriends.org/download.p ... taller.exe
Linux Link: http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-linux.html

Check the pages for install instructions

[Simon N]

Is there a benefit to testing on local machine?

Only asking as I use dreamweaver and have set it to edit and test directly on my remote server. This has the effect of auto uploading all files I edit locally and thus seeing the result "live". However just wondering if I am missing something in doing testing sites locally?

I will add that sites are put into temp folders (remotely) so the public have no access to them. I then just change the config files and folder name when released.

[Michaelo]

Your method is fine. My suggestion allows full control over you (local site) prior to updating your remote site. It is perfect for testing php related modifications such as mods and templates that rely on php or data. Because you do not have to publish every five minutes and allowing for the fact that you are working on your own drive you can do everything hundreds of times fasterà¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¦ There is really no comparison.

Mike

[chucklehead]

~ I use EasyPHP which pretty much does the same thing as XAMPP.

~ The one true benefit to testing/editing a local site first is if you make a mistake...it's easily fixable. Making changes to a live site can be disastrous if something is done wrong.

[Simon N]

He he.....I learn through breaking things I guess.

[Helter]

He he.....I learn through breaking things I guess.

lol...i have found this is the quickest way to learn!

[Michaelo]

Must admit I do prefer Easyphp in some respects but I need all the latest bell and whistles (php, mysql and apache) and XAMPP has them. By the way I have added a link to my local sites on XAMPP front page so now I can access them with click (same as easyphp). I even list them alphabetically with the same folder icons.

Mike

[Michaelo]

Here is the site.php I use to display all my local site. I call this from the Xampp front page.

Edited: Removed code... See attached for file updates.

Here is the edited xapmm file with local site link (note extension has been changed to attach).

[Fubie]

Mike,

Does php-switch.bat work for you? I keep getting errors no matter what I do.

The error is Cannot find php cli!

I've checked the .phpversion file and it has 5 in it and it is not corrupt.

Any ideas?

[Michaelo]

Fubie, I havent tried it yet... Will try it and get to you asap.

Update: Yep it works! Forgot about it to be honest, I was wondering how I was going to be able to test old versions of IntegraMod <img>

Anyway, I stopped Apache and MySql (to be on the safe side) and ran the batch file and low and behold it switch fro 5 to 4 and back. I tested 1.3.2 and 1.4.0 which dont work with php 5.xxà¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¦
Hope this helps, any problems let me knowà¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¦

Mike

[Teelk]

Fubie, make sure that you've stopped the apache service before trying the php switch.

[Fubie]

Thanks Teelk,

Yup I tried that. Still a no go. <img>

I even rebooted my PC then tried. I'm gonna try it on another PC to see if it's this box. That would be my luck.

[ayasha]

for lack of anything better to do yesterday, i tried installing and using the easyphp yesterday, but i never could get it to connect to the database.

is there some easy step by step install and setup instructions somewhere?

and when using this, can you just upload everything to your server? or do you have to make any changes at all to the files or the database tables that you create using this?

[Fubie]

I found the answer to the php-switch problem.

I located this post on the XAMPP Forum.

this is a configuration problem in your Windows.

--> The batchfile use a relative path to run PHP (in a subshell). Relative to the batchfile directory (the normal working directory). But your Windows change this working directory to something else... Some "tuning tools" makes this change in the Windows behaviour.

You can try to open a console, "cd" to the XAMPP dir and start the batch there.

[Michaelo]

There was quite a bit of discussion some time ago at integramod.com you would need to search for easyphp.
I think the install procedure was covered along with some fixes to problems...
Mike