How to Setup WordPress Localhost Environment using XAMPP
How to Setup WordPress Localhost Environment using XAMPP. In this post, I introduce XAMPP with it’s advantages then explain how to set up a WordPress localhost development environment using XAMPP.
XAMPP is a famous cross platform web server that enables programmers to write and test the codes on a local web server. It allows users to contribute or change their native source code. XAMPP includes MariaDB, Apache HTTP Server, and interpreters for PHP, Perl plus other computer languages.
Additionally, XAMPP is available in eleven languages and runs on multiple platforms, like macOS X’s x64, Windows IA 32, and Linux’s x64 package. But that’s not it. It offers multiple features and benefits for programmers, web designers, and other professionals to test MYSQL, PHP, Apache, and Perl projects.
Let’s understand more about the cross platform web server.
So, shall we start this article about how to Setup WordPress Localhost Environment using XAMPP.
What is XAMPP?
First of all, XAMPP is an acronym for Cross Platform, Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl. It’s a web solutions package that contains Apache distribution for different servers and command line executables, MariaDB, Apache server, PHP, and Perl modules.
PHP is a backend scripting language, Perl is a web development programming language, and MariaDB is MySQL’s widely used database.
What are the XAMPP Features?
Consequently, XAMPP gets an update to the latest Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl releases. It has different modules, including OpenSSL, MediaWiki, phpMyAdmin, Joomla, WordPress, and more.
Multiple self contained instances of XAMPP can exist on a single computer. You can copy any instance from one computer to another.
It’s offered in both a full and a standard version to create the testing and verifying environment based on your requirements.
Components of XAMPP
As shown, XAMPP comprises different components that are its backbone. It represents the classification of solutions for different technologies. As well as, XAMPP provides an excellent platform for testing applications using different technologies via a personal server. Each key component of XAMPP represents an abbreviated form of each alphabet.
The collection of software includes a web server (Apache), a database management system (MariaDB), and scripting/programming languages (Perl and PHP). And the letter X is for cross platform, which highlights it runs on different operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Let’s understand them one by one.
Cross Platform
The cross platform component improves the functionality and reaches of this Apache distributions package. It operates with various systems, including Linus, Windows, and macOS packages.
Apache
A cross platform HTTP web server, and it shares content online globally. The server application provides free installation and utilization by the developer community. Apache’s remote server can send the requested files and images.
MariaDB Database
PHP
The backend scripting language, PHP is effective for web development. Use PHP to build dynamic apps and websites. Hypertext Processor (PHP) uses Personal Home Page Tools, which explains its ease of use and functionality.
Perl
Combines two high level dynamic languages: Perl 5 and Perl 6. You can effectively find system administration, web development, and networking solutions. Perl enables its users to program dynamic web applications and is flexible and robust.
phpMyAdmin
Deals with MariaDB. The 4.0.4 version is currently being used in XAMPP and administers DBMS.
XAMPP Control Panel
Panel operating and regulating other components of the XAMPP.
These components of XAMPP enable users to avail multiple benefits and minimize the chances of errors during deployment.
Advantages of XAMPP
XAMPP offers multiple benefits, but we have listed the most important ones.
- User friendly and free software is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms.
- Lightweight open source software with easy to set up, develop, and test features.
- Handles multiple administrative tasks and helps you save time by managing configuration changes, etc.
- Easily set up web servers like WAMP.
- Start and end the full web server and database stack within no time using a single command.
- Available in both full and standard versions.
- Features a control panel with start and stop buttons for processes.
These benefits can minimize your efforts in creating testing and verifying environments for web apps and sites.
Up next is How to Setup WordPress Localhost Environment using XAMPP. Follow on.
Setup a WordPress Localhost Development using XAMPP
Install XAMPP
First, you will need to download the XAMPP software on your local system. Download it from the XAMPP official download page as shown below:
After downloading XAMPP software, follow the below steps to install XAMPP on your system:
Step 1 – Double click on the downloaded installer file to start the installation. You should see the XAMPP welcome page:
Step 2 – Click on the Next button. You should see the XAMPP components selection page:
Step 3 – Select your desired components and click on the Next button. You should see the following page:
Step 4 – Select your install location and click on the Next button. You should see the language selection page:
Step 5 – Select your language and click on the Next button. You should see the following page:
Step 6 – Click on the Next button to start the installation. Once the XAMPP is installed, you should see the following page:
Step 7 – Click on the Finish button. You should see the XAMPP control panel:
Step 8 – Click on the start button to start both Apache and MySQL service.
Download WordPress
Next, you will need to download the WordPress and copy it to the XAMPP default root directory.
A). First, go to the WordPress download page as shown below:
B). Click on the Download WordPress button to download it to your local system.
C). After the successful download, extract the downloaded file and copy the WordPress directory to the XAMPP default root directory as shown below:
Create WordPress Database
Next, you will need to create a database for WordPress.
1. First, open your web browser and access the phpMyAdmin using the URL http://localhost/phpmyadmin. You should see the following page:
2. Click on the Database button. You should see the following page:
3. Define your database name and click on the Create button to create a database.
Install WordPress
4. Next, open your web browser and access the WordPress installation wizard using the URL http://localhost/wordpress. You should see the WordPress Language selection page:
5. Select your language and click on the Continue button. You should see the following page:
6. Click on the Let’s go. You should see the database configuration page:
7. Define your WordPress database name, username, password and click on the Submit button. You should see the following page:
8. Click on the Run the installation button. You should see the WordPress site configuration page:
9. Provide your WordPress site information, admin username, password and click on the Install WordPress button. Once the WordPress is installed, you should see the following page:
10. Click on the Log in button. You should see the WordPress login page:
11. Provide your WordPress admin username, password and click on the Login button. You should see the WordPress dashboard on the following page:
Thank you for reading How to Setup WordPress Localhost Environment using XAMPP. We shall conclude.
How to Setup WordPress Localhost Environment using XAMPP Conclusion
Summing up, XAMPP is an effective cross platform web server that is open source and free. It helps you with a local host or server tests websites or apps before publishing the implementations to a global web server.
The server software also provides an effective platform for testing MYSQL, PHP, Apache, and Perl projects on a local computer. XAMPP can assist you in avoiding troubles on your live website and escape the hassles of testing and verifying changes.
