Define
WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Perl/Python)
WAMP is a form of mini-server that can run on almost any Windows Operating System. WAMP includes Apache 2, PHP 5 (SMTP ports are disabled), and MySQL (phpMyAdmin and SQLitemanager are installed to manage your databases) preinstalled.
An icon on the taskbar tray displays the status of WAMP, letting you know if; a) WAMP is running but no services are opened (the icon will appear red), b) WAMP is running and one service is opened (the icon will appear yellow) or c) WAMP is running with all services opened (the icon will appear white). Apache and MySQL are considered to be services (they can be disabled by left-clicking on the taskbar icon, guiding your cursor over the service you wish to disable and selecting “Stop Service”).
The files/web pages that are hosted on your WAMP server can be accessed by typing http:/localhost or http://127.0.0.1/ in the address bar of your web browser. WAMP must be running in order to access either of the above addresses.
Installing and Configuring a WAMP Server on Your
Computer
Obtain a copy of WAMP
Before you do anything you need to download WAMP from http://www.wampserver.com/en/download.php. You will have the option to choose wither a 32 or 64-bit environment depending upon your computer’s configuration. In addition to Apache, PHP and MySQL this download includes phpMyAdmin and SQLBuddy to better help you manage your databases through web based GUI rather than having to use a terminal interface.
Install the software
Once you have downloaded and uncompressed your WAMP executable you will need to go ahead and launch it to start the installation process.
When you click next you will be asked to accept the license agreement. Since it is a GPL license you are free to do just about anything with it so you can go ahead and accept.
The next step requires you to select the folder where you would like to install your WAMP server. The default will be c:\wamp however you can change this to install the server into any directory or partition you choose.
Chose where to install the software
After you choose your directory you will have the option to setup icons. Once you decide on this click Next and then confirm the installation settings again by clicking Install.
Once the installation runs its course you will be asked to choose your default browser. Internet Explorer is the default choice but you can navigate your way to any other browser of your choosing.
NB – if your Windows firewall pops up at this point make sure to grant Apache access.
The next decision you will have to make is to set the PHP mail parameters. Many people leave this set to the defaults when setting up a testing server on their local computer. If you wish to configure it to connect to your SMTP server you may do so here but unless you plan on testing email capabilities the default entries can be left and all you need to do is click Next.
Setting the SMTP server (optional)
Congratulations, WAMP is now installed on your local computer.
Testing the installation
Now that everything has been installed let’s test everything out.
Using one of the icons you created, or Start –> All Programs –> WampServer –> start WampServer, you can launch the management console. Once opened, it will appear in the lower right hand corner of your screen.
The WAMP management console
If WAMP is not started go ahead and click Start All Services. If you are not sure whether or not WAMP is running, look for the small green W icon in your toolbar. If it is red, WAMP services are stopped, green means everything is running while orange means some services are running.
Now we want to test to see if everything was installed correctly. In the WAMP management console, click on Localhost. If you see the following screen pop up in your browser then everything is working!
WAMP services are running
PHP DEMAND 