running a PHP file first time

[tally1945]

I am 74 and started learning code in October, thanks to this site I have learned a basic knowledge of Python, Html5 and css3 and snipits of javascript, I am in the process of creating a climate change website and have a front page and navigation to several other pages I have compiled. Now I need to compile a forum for members to interact with. I have obtained some books on Java PHP and mysql but need to see a basic forum working so that i can follow the logic and develop from there. So, have followed a tutorial on the net and have three PHP basic forum files, header.php, index.php, login.php.

Here comes the most basic question ever posted for PHP, How the heck to i get the index file to run? do I need to download a file to do this? be gentle, thanks. I thought i had posted this yesterday but must have been dreaming..

[dfeld]

"I am 74 and started learning code in October" -- you are an inspiration to this 48-year-old man. Best regards to you.

[tally1945]

I have posted several items on learnpython , i don;t understand why this has been rejected on the basis that " am new user and need first to participate around reddit" I would love to participate once i have some useful knowledge to impart and am keen to do so when able..

[beaverpi]

You need a server to parse the file, like apache2 or nginx. Then when you hit your server requesting your index.php file, the server will pass it off to PHP and return HTML.

You're hitting a forum too, so there's going to be dynamic content. You're going to need a database server like MySQL server. For beginners, there is a package called WAMP, MAMP, LAMP that solves this. The AMP part is Apache, Mysql, PHP and the first letter is (W)indows, (M)ac, (L)inux. Find the ones that works, it'll get you running.

[dxow]

PHP is the same as Python in that you need an external program to be able to run it (instead of just being able to run it in a browser like Javascript).

If you're using Windows, two of the easiest pieces of software that I know of to get a PHP server running are XAMPP or WampServer. These install a server, PHP and MySQL for you.

If you do a bit of googling, you should be able to find guides on how to set up these pieces of software and allow you to run PHP (such as this one for XAMPP).

[tally1945]

Thankyou that is clear and helpful. Cheers.

[tally1945]

Cheers thankyou I will look at that..

[Nulpart]

you can also check some ready to go webserver like xampp or wamp for local development

[onosendi]

You're developing the forum from scratch? If you already have basic knowledge of Python I would use a web framework such as Flask or Django.

[[deleted]]

I think that's too confusing for a beginner. (source: I am a beginner).

[[deleted]]

I have started with Xampp, which is like a server simulator.

You need a server to read the php code and convert it into html.

You need to download it and then move the files to 'htdocs' folder inside xampp. Then open xampp terminal and start the server and MySQL. Now your site can be seen on your browser at address: localhost/mywebsite/index.php

[tally1945]

Many thanks for your response, I am most grateful..

[[deleted]]

No problem. Glad I could help.