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Resources for Dreamweaver Local PHP Development
Setting up a local server and php testing environment isn't an easy task for a newbie. When I helped students with this subject at Uni, the majority of students couldn't cope with apache server. If your on Windows, use IIS instead. The GUI is far easier to manage than apache's command-line tools.
XP-Pro users can install IIS via Start > Control Panel > Add Remove Programs > Add Remove Window Components.
For Windows 98, Personal Web Server (PWS) is available; insert the Win98 install CD-ROM and navigate to Add Ons > PWS, then launch setup.exe.
When you've installed IIS (or PWS), you then have to install PHP, go to the php site and download the windows installer package for the latest version of PHP. Be sure to read all the documentation as it gives essential installation steps to follow in order to get it to work.
http://www.php.net
You'll also need to install MySql Server to run with your php applications. I'd advise going to the MySql site and downloading version 3.23 so that you can download and install "mysql control centre" to administer the database. All theese apps are available from:
http://www.mysql.org/downloads/
You also have to get a grip on setting directory permissions in order for a local server to be able to run and get several php application to work properly. Servers and scripts require permissions for special users for your operating system. They're names "IUSR" and "IWAM". Both are used for annonymous authentication and access to files and resources on your system.
http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_15378
and
http://dmxzone.com/showDetail.asp?TypeId=2&NewsId=6664
