J2.5

XAMPP

From Joomla! Documentation

The "J2.5" namespace is a namespace scheduled to be archived. This page contains information for a Joomla! version which is no longer supported. It exists only as a historical reference, it will not be improved and its content may be incomplete and/or contain broken links.

This is the part used in both versions of the 'localhost' document. It just has the part about installing xampp. The Joomla! versions are different.

It is very useful to be able to learn and experiment on your own machine. The aim of this document is to help you to download a sample Joomla! site to your own computer, known as a 'localhost' installation. It has some helpful sample content that allows you to become familiar with the way that a Joomla! site is put together. You can also install an empty copy of Joomla! for creating a new site.

Who is it written for?[edit]

Not everyone using this Manual will have enough experience to feel comfortable doing this. You need to know a little about computing, for example:-

  • Know where to find files on your computer and be able to create folders
  • Be able to download something from a Web site and save it in an appropriate place
  • You will not panic if you do not understand a concept!

Experienced developers and people with programming experience will be fine.

  • If in doubt - follow the instructions and try it!

Summary[edit]

There are three basic stages in doing this:-

  1. Downloading and installing some software that Joomla! needs to use to run locally, that is to say on your own desktop or laptop computer. This is a web server called Apache, a database called mySQL and a scripting language called PHP. There are a few other things as well - which are downloaded together as one package called XAMPP.
  2. Downloading and installing Joomla!
  3. Configuring Joomla!

Download and install XAMPP[edit]

Important note on Versions of XAMPP - as at March 4th 2011. This is for the older version (1.7.3) There is a newer version (1.7.4), available from the end of January 2011.

There have been some problems reported with 1.7.4 : These are discussed but not resolved in one of the XAMPP forums - [[1]]/f/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=44320. Meantime, you can continue to download and use the older version which seems to be more stable.

To run Joomla! on a Windows desktop or laptop you need to download and install some software needed by Joomla!. This includes a web server called Apache, a database called mySQL and a scripting language called PHP. The point of this to to configure your own machine to behave as if it were a server with the difference being that the result is not visible over the internet and is thus confined to your own computer. This is very useful for learning new things and even developing a new web site.

Download sites for using a Mac or Linux with documentation.

Warning: If you are not familiar with downloading software - don't be put off by unfamiliar vocabulary on the download Web site!

Before download[edit]

Make sure you have a separate folder for downloads.

Use Windows Explorer
Create a folder (called something meaningful like Downloads) beneath the top level of the directory. (Depending on how your computer is set up - this will be C:\Downloads)

Download XAMPP[edit]

The site for Windows download. This is a page with links to downloads as well as instructions for installation.

This is what you do to get the stable 1.7.3 version:-

Find this in the first part of the screen - Download older versions of XAMPP (even the "old" WAMPP) directly from Sourceforge
Go to Sourceforge link - which is at http://sourceforge.net/projects/xampp/files/
Click XAMPP Windows choice
This lists previous versions
Choose xampp-win32-1.7.3.exe
In the window that opens
Click Save File
In the Save In box - find the Download folder on your conmputer
Click Save

A file with the XAMPP logo is saved to the Download folder. In Windows Explorer Details view, the file type will be Application.

Install XAMPP - version 1.7.3[edit]

Extracting the software and installing the files:-

  • Run the file
Double-click the file name
You may be asked to confirm that you want to run the file - if so - Click Run.

The next window gives on-screen instructions.

The XAMPP installation screen. Note that it gives on-screen instructions.
  • Use the top level of the C: drive - so leave the C: as it is. (If you want it elsewhere, Browse for the folder where you want it)
Click Install

Installation Progress is indicated on the screen. When the files are extracted, a Windows command screen asks a few questions to configure the installation.

Respond to these with the defaults.
A Windows command screen. This may be unfamiliar - just respond to it as suggested in the text

The files are placed in the correct locations and you are then prompted to press <Return> to continue and to confirm the timezone.

Finally the screen presents 7 choices.

Choose 1 to start the Control Panel and press Return
Choose x to Exit the install process

You should see a XAMPP Control Panel on the desktop. To open it is it is not already open:-

Double-click the Control Panel icon on the desktop.

This is the Control panel with the services running.

The Control panel with the services running.

Apache and MySQL need to run as Services (indicated by a tick against Svc in the Control Panel). Make sure the following are set:-

  • Apache Svc is ticked
  • Apache is Running (Click Start to run it)
  • MySQL Svc is ticked
  • MySQL is Running (Click Start to run it)

Now test localhost[edit]

  • Type in the site's address in your browser - which is http://localhost/

If it has not been successful - you will get a message saying 'Unable to Connect'. The most likely cause is that Apache or mySQL are not running.

  • Use the Control Panel to check these.

If it has been successful - there will be a splash page with a choice of languages.

  • Choose your language

You now see a Welcome page which says 'You have successfully installed XAMPP on this system!'. There are also various links to documentation and other things to the left.

You can move on to downloading and installing Joomla! itself.