How To Host A Website On Xampp Server
XAMPP is a free, open-source software package that lets you quickly set up a web server on your local computer. It includes Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl, all of which are necessary for website hosting. This post will walk you through setting up a XAMPP server and hosting a website. We will cover topics such as installing XAMPP, configuring Apache and MySQL, creating a database, and uploading your website files.
Hosting A Website On Xampp Server
Step 1 Install Xampp On Your Computer
Download and install the latest version of XAMPP from the official website (https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html). Follow the installation instructions to complete the process. This will set up the necessary components to run a web server, such as Apache and PHP.
Step 2 Start The Xampp Control Panel
Once the installation is complete, open the XAMPP Control Panel and start the Apache and MySQL services. This will allow you to manage the different components of the server, such as starting and stopping services.
Step 3 Create A New Website Folder
Create a new folder in the "htdocs" directory in the XAMPP installation folder. This is where you will place all the files for your website. Give the folder a name that is relevant to your website.
Step 4 Add Your Website Files
Copy all the files for your website into the new folder you created in step 3.
Step 5 Edit The Apache Configuration File
Open the "httpd.conf" file located in the "conf" folder of the XAMPP installation directory. Search for the "DocumentRoot" and "Directory" lines and change the path to the folder you created in step 3.
Step 6 Restart The Apache Service
Once you've made the changes to the configuration file, save and close it. Then, go back to the XAMPP Control Panel and restart the Apache service.
Step 7 Test Your Website
Open a web browser and type "http://localhost/[your_folder_name]" in the address bar. This should take you to your website, hosted on your local XAMPP server.
Step 8 Create A Virtual Host
You can create a virtual host if you want to access your website using a specific domain name (e.g. "mywebsite.com"). Open the "httpd-vhosts.conf" file located in the "conf" folder of the XAMPP installation directory. Add a new virtual host entry and map it to the folder you created in step 3.
Step 9 Edit Your Host's File
You'll need to edit your computer's host file to test your virtual host. On Windows, it's located in "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts". On Mac or Linux, it's located in "/etc/hosts". Add the virtual host domain name and IP address (127.0.0.1) to this file.
Step 10 Test Your Virtual Host
Open a web browser and type "http://[your_virtual_host_name]" in the address bar. This should take you to your website, hosted on your local XAMPP server.
Advantages Of Xampp
It Is A Beginner-friendly
XAMPP is beginner-friendly software, meaning it is easy to use and understand for those new to web development and server management. The user interface is intuitive and straightforward, allowing beginners to set up and run their web servers.
Easily Available For Windows, Linux, And Mac Os
XAMPP is easily available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, making it a versatile option for users of all operating systems. This makes it an excellent option for developers working on multiple platforms, as they can easily switch operating systems and still use XAMPP.
It Is A Beginner-friendly
XAMPP is beginner-friendly software, meaning it is easy to use and understand for those new to web development and server management. The user interface is intuitive and straightforward, allowing beginners to set up and run their web servers.
It Is A Time-saver And Provides Several Ways To Manage Configuration Changes
XAMPP is a time-saver and provides several ways for managing configuration changes, allowing developers to quickly and easily make changes to their web server. This can save time and effort, especially for those working on multiple projects simultaneously.
Includes All Necessary Components
XAMPP includes all necessary components, such as Apache, MySQL, and PHP, meaning that developers do not need to install and configure each component separately. This makes it an excellent option for those just starting with web development and server management.
Large Community Support
XAMPP has large community support, so developers can easily find help and resources online, such as tutorials and forums. This makes it easy for developers to troubleshoot any issues they may encounter and get the help they need.
Good For Local Testing
XAMPP is suitable for local testing, allowing developers to test their web applications and websites locally without needing a live server. This can save time and effort and allow developers to quickly make changes and test them before deploying them to a live server.
How To Create A Website Using Xampp
Navigate to the XAMPP folder in your root disk directory (often found at C:xampp) to start building webpages using XAMPP. Next, navigate to the htdocs folder, which will be the primary storage location for your web pages.
A text editor is required before designing and editing a website. Although simple text editors like Notepad can be used, downloading a specialist code and markup editor like Sublime Text is advised. Visit their website and get the software to do this.
Once your text editor is set up, you can start downloading and installing webpages into XAMPP. Any template that you like may be used. Save the website's zip file in an accessible place after downloading it. Create a new folder for your website and give it a short, descriptive name within the XAMPP htdocs folder. Extract the zip file's contents into the htdocs folder
Check your website repository in the htdocs folder after extracting the files to make sure they were extracted properly. Finally, use the localhost URL and the name of the folder containing the files for your webpage to visit it in your web browser. The whole address would be http://localhost/camping, for instance, if your folder was called "Camping."
Conclusion
Hosting a website on a XAMPP server is an excellent option for those who want to have a local development environment for their website. Following the steps outlined in this blog, you can easily set up and configure a XAMPP server on your computer and start hosting your website. This allows you to test your website before pushing it live on a production server.