Setting Up the PHP Environment

To set up a PHP development environment, you can follow these steps:

Install a Web Server (e.g., Apache)

1. Download the Apache installation package suitable for your operating system.
2. Follow the installation wizard and configure settings such as the port number.

Install PHP

1. Download the appropriate PHP version for your system from the official PHP website.
2. Configure PHP and associate it with your web server.

Configure Relevant Files

1. Add PHP support in the Apache configuration file (usually httpd.conf).
2. Specify the path to the PHP configuration file.

Test PHP

1. Create a file named info.php.

Place this file in the web server’s root directory (e.g., Apache’s htdocs folder).

Access http://localhost/info.php through a browser. If PHP-related information is displayed correctly, the environment is successfully set up.

However, setting up a PHP environment can be error-prone for beginners. Using tools can often be a better approach, and ServBay is an underrated yet useful tool for this purpose.

Download ServBay

ServBay eliminates the need to install a server, add PHP support, or debug. After downloading, you just need to select the required software package, and within minutes, developers can start coding. Whether it’s a PHP development environment or a WordPress environment, ServBay supports it.

One of the standout features of ServBay is its support for using non-existent domains and TLDs in local development, creating free SSL certificates for these domains. This allows developers to work in an encrypted HTTPS environment (e.g., https://api.servbay), enhancing security and saving on domain and SSL certificate costs.

Install ServBay

1. Double-click the downloaded ServBayInstaller-v1.3.5.dmg file. In the popup window, drag the ServBay.app icon to the Applications folder.
2. In the popup window, drag the ServBay.app icon to the Applications folder.

1. Find the ServBay icon in Applications, and double-click to open it.

Initialize ServBay

For the first time using ServBay, initialization is required. Under the condition of confirming the port is not occupied, open ServBay in Applications.

ServBay provides a simple and intuitive setup wizard to help you complete the settings.

1. Click Select Packages.

1. In the popup window, select the packages and versions you wish to install, and click OK after selection. Note: PHP needs to be selected for subsequent access to the demo site and use of database management tools like phpMyAdmin.

1. Click the Initialize button.

1. Note: During initialization, you may be prompted to enter the current user password to install ServBay Helper. This tool is essential for managing services. Without installing ServBay Helper, the software will not work properly.

1. Wait for ServBay to complete the initialization process.

1. After the initialization process is complete, click Open ServBay to enter the program.

1. The interface after successful installation of ServBay.

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