I have been using Dreamweaver for developing sites.  (After years of being afraid of it now I like it) My question is this, I am trying to create a form using php but I can't see my work on less I upload it to my hosting server.  I was told that I can put Apache/Linux on my computer as a local host, and this way I would be able to see my work.  I downloaded a program, but now I am not sure how to connect  to it as a local host and then not sure how I go about uploading the files to the hosting server when I am done.  Will this lock the files to just my system or am I complete scardy cat to try.  (have crashed my system too many times in the past few months trying new things)

Uncomplicated Solution



Well ninak, what you're asking is way outside my sphere.

Northie did a post on this a few weeks ago where he gave the correct programme names.

However, here's a simpler idea; the sort of thing I'd do:

Set yourself up a practice WordPress blog. Noindex nofollow it if your worried.

Practice your form, and anything else you want, on that php CMS.

When it's working like clockwork, copy and paste to the real site. Fairly simple, huh?

That's the sort of solution for us ordinary people.

Regards,
Laurie.

Thanks Laurie,
Will try that.  I have used wordpress before and will be adding a blog to that metaphysical site using wordpress.
Janina

Wordpress is not the answer to your problems. Although WP is a good tool, it's just a tool and you must use the right tool for the right job.

Download xampp from apachefriends

This will install apache, mysql, php and something else starting in with a p

You will probably have to turn of IIS using your windows control panel for apache to work.

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As for your form, usually you do not create a form with php - you process it with php. That is the form action must be a php page that uses the form variables using $_GET['field-name'] or $_POST['another-field'] depending on the form method (get or post)

Will this lock the files to just my system or am I complete scardy cat to try.

Files can be over written on your server, do not be afraid to try, yo won't break anything

The likihood is that if you're using a mysql database to store the form data in then the database settings will need to change for things to work on the server. To make life easier, put all these settings in one file, and use require_once('settings.php') to include the file where you need it.

There are a host of variables, functions and examples on the php.net website. Let us know what you're trying to do and we can point you in the right direction for documentation

Can we go step by step with this? 
I have xamp on my sytem, and it has this nice little panel and all.
It's located in c://xamp and when I put in my browser http://localhost and nice thing from xamp comes up telling me everything that is available with very minimum instructions..
Now when I use Dreamweaver and set up a new web site do I save the files in the xamp folder for local viewing?
Do I need to create another folder in there?
Do I use it like my external server by uploading/copying into it?
Gee this is fun to be thinking of before I even have my first cup of coffee.

Thanks for all your help in advance.

Janina

Hello Janina,

If C:\xampp\ is where you have XAMPP, the "root" of http://127.0.0.1 is this folder c:\xampp\htdocs\. To make it cleaner/tidier you might want to create your own folder in there - for example "my". Then, the folder "my" would be accessible on http://127.0.0.1/my/.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
   Dino

I must be doing something wrong.  This is what I get when I enter the address
Unable to connect
Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at 127.0.0.1   

    *   The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few
          moments.

    *   If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network
          connection.

    *   If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure
          that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

Don't know what I did but I can get to it now.  Will play around with it for a while and let you know what king of booboos I did.  Thanks to all of you

carry on using http://localhost if apache/xampp is working on this.

Insidethe xampp folder you'll see a folder called htdocs.

in here put another folder - call it what you want - and save your project files in here

eg

c:/xampp/htdocs/my-project/index.php

then, when you go to

http://localhost/my-project/ in your browser you should see the results of index.php (or list of files)

I have hundreds of folders inside my htdocs folder (i also use xampp) some of these are php apps that i use myself, and some are local copies of my website.

I just copied the folder for one of the sites and put it in there.  I'm proud of myself at the moment because I actually got to it and did'nt crash my system.  Eureka, there is hope yet.  (I can even get to it using dreamweaver)  Now the next  step will be to actualy create a site in dreamweaver that will be put in here at the start..

Thanks Northie and all.
Janina

UpDate!!!!

Have now been using xxamp for a solid week and kicking my self for not doing this sooner.  Still have a lot of experimenting to do but thanks for putting this great thing in my head to do.