Running PHP/MYsql software on your home PC?

[bhxtyrant]

Hey guys,I was wondering is there a way i can isntall and run PHP/MYsql software such as vBulletin forums on my PC and actually run them for testing purposes on my PC?Reason i ask is i currently use vB3.0.7 now i plan to upgrade to 3.5.0 but according to the vB guys i will have to rebuild all my custom style templates for 3.5.So i was hoping theres a way to do this on my PC then once there done transfer them online.ANyone have any idea's/suggestions?

[petard]

You'll also need IIS or Apache. Or some sort of web server. It's do-able.

[Reverend]

You are allowed to run a test version on your current server,which is a lot easier than running from your PC.

The license agreement states:

"If you have a valid license, you may set up an additional test forum in order to test code, template and database modifications. To make this clear to us and our license verification procedures, place it in a directory called 'testvb' and be sure to password protect it. It must not be accessible by the general public. "

[bhxtyrant]

Yeah i was thinking about that as well Reverend.I will more then likely just do it that way.Probally save me a few threads here and headaches :-p thanks for the reply.

[Reverend]

Don't forget there's a lot of changes between 3.0x and 3.5x,not just styles/templates,so i would recommend you read this post (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showpost.php?p=863307&postcount=1)

Also check out this post (http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showpost.php?p=978953&postcount=8)

If you need any further help,just ask. ;)

[bhxtyrant]

Thansk alot,I appreciate that :) yeah i know what you mean.I'm glad i never completely finished my 3.0.7 templates or i would have been mad to have to totally rebuild them all over again from scratch.I've been doing alot of reading over at vB.com and vB.org about 3.5.It's alot of work but i think it will be worth it to upgrade just for the bug fixes and added security of having the latest version.Not to mention the new plugins system sounds very interesting for me as i plan to intergrate my entire site with vB to use it as a CMS.

[Dehcbad25]

Just as an completion point to the original question, there are packages that have bundled Apache/Php, and MySQL (or AMP as it is called these group of bundled apps).
I recently used phpdev. there is even a page with instructions how to set this up.
http://www.firepages.com.au/
thought I used to install Apache, PHP, and MySQL all by myself. I got pretty good at installing Apache and Php in windows :p
This is the tutorial http://www.communitymx.com/content/article.cfm?cid=59334
Edit [again] for securing MySQL, just read the instalation manual. It is pretty easy, considering I don't know how to use mySQL.
Here is a direct link http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/windows-post-installation.html

[adeydas]

If you ask me installing Apache, PHP and MySQL on Windows is very easy by itself. If you are game for that, PM me and I'll be glad to help you out.

[Dehcbad25]

the instalation packages have improved a lot lately. It is almost automatic

[adeydas]

the instalation packages have improved a lot lately. It is almost automatic
I agree!!!

[cleve]

Yeah, adeydas is right. It's easy to install Apache, PHP and MySQL for Windows. But there is another alternative, you can try out VMWare and install Linux in you PC too. Just that it will take some CPU resources.