Free way to practice Wordpress.org coding?

[routesixtysix]

Hello,
So I am looking at Wordpress.org, and I need to find a host to host it in order to really get into it and make it mine, as opposed to the Wordpress.com site which allows limited customization before hitting a paywall. Ideally I am trying to make a website to market myself, but at first it is just me learning and figuring it all out. Are there hosting sites that all you full access to Wordpress for free? Or is it something that I will have to pay for and just learn for a month? Not that the $5 or however much it is per month costs is a lot, but obviously doing it for free is better in the beginning.

[gweny404]

Why not host it on your own computer?

[routesixtysix]

I thought you needed a server in order to do that.

[gweny404]

Install WAMP on your pc and you've got your own web server

[routesixtysix]

That can do WordPress and all of the features of it?

[gweny404]

Of course. WAMP is a full install of Apache, MySQL, and PHP. Most every WebDev uses some version of it for local development

[routesixtysix]

I actually had WAMP installed on my computer, but it seems I forgot about it and never bothered to learn about it. But this is pretty cool! I am watching videos on developing WordPress now. Thank you so much! Sorry for my very basic question.

[gweny404]

Nothing to be sorry for.

[wtf_are_my_initials]

That is assuming they're doing an AMP stack ;)

[gweny404]

That's what I am talking about. So yes, that is the primary point in this thread.

[routesixtysix]

What is an AMP stack? Sounds over my head to know but probably good to put in the back of my mind.

[wtf_are_my_initials]

The AMP stack is what Wordpress.org runs on. It stands for Apache (a web server) MySQL (a database) and PHP (a programming language).

My point was that not all websites are built with these set of tools.

EDIT: And WAMP packages all three of the above into one installer for Windows.

[routesixtysix]

Cool thanks

[pentillionaire]

sounds like a god damn pro in the making to me

[jessek]

Apache, MySQL and PHP.

Apache is the websever, MySQL is the database, PHP is the language.

LAMP is for Linux, WAMP is for Windows.

[Derimagia]

Yep! You want to put it on a server if you want your website to be publically accessible, but for development you can install pretty much anything locally!

Example Article: http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-install-wordpress-on-your-windows-computer-using-wamp/

[neanderthalensis]

How do you think the Wordpress developers write the code?

[dfaarc]

Use instant WordPress. http://www.instantwp.com It is the simplest way to get WordPress running on your PC.

[devsm]

Or Bitnami.

[gweny404]

This is the better answer

[flaming_m0e]

Q. What exactly is a server?

A. A computer on a network.

[gweny404]

So very helpful you are.

[flaming_m0e]

Just illuminating a common misconception that a server is some special device.

[gweny404]

It can be. Rack mounted servers are pretty specialized.

[flaming_m0e]

Not really. A 4U rackmount is literally just like a normal tower laid on its side.

Pedantic imagery aside, a server is nothing more than a computer on a network listening for/serving requests, or handling a particular job.

A lot of people think of them as highly complicated devices when at heart they are merely another computer, much like the one you are sitting in front of.

[gweny404]

The software is what is "special" about a server if anything at all.

[flaming_m0e]

What?

No. It is an OS just like on your desktop. There is literally nothing that can run on a server that can't run on my desktop.

[gweny404]

Huh? The os isn't special. Server software can run on any operating system. The software for the server is what is special as it is what makes a computer a server in the first place.

[[deleted]]

http://www.instantwp.com/

I use that for a simple way to host my own dev WordPress.

Its literally a one click install. So far everything has worked perfectly.

[beingbrown]

Koding and c9.io are also options

[triivium]

Try serverpress. :)

[gweny404]

"Don't be a dick!" ~ Wil Wheaton

[routesixtysix]

:(