Apache/PHP questlion

[pepper]

I am getting into PHP and I am trying to figure out how to run a PHP page in Linux or windows. I know that I need to setup a webserver, php and a database (for what I am going to use php for I need the use of a database) I belive thaty the version of php that is running on my machine is 4.38.

Is there anything I need to do to setup Apache and PHP besides what my OS install has done to setup these programs?

Is there a better database to use rather than mysql?

Pepper

[blingbling!!]

Is there anything I need to do to setup Apache and PHP besides what my OS install has done to setup these programs?
that depends on your distro. Most of the big RPM based distros come with php/apache/mysql pre-loaded, you might have to turn them on.

Is there a better database to use rather than mysql?
That depends on what you're doing. Check out MySQL's features against something like PostGresql or firebird - most likely for a simple starter application MySQL will be just fine.

My tip to you would be to have a look at your settings through your browser. This line of code will tell you all about your install, and the various options that are available to you from the PHP platform:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>


hth
--Robin

[pepper]

since I am just beginning to learn PHP would it be a good idea to upgrade my php version from 4.3.8 to 5.0.0? I am using Fedora Core 1

Pepper

[eriksays]

5.0 was just released; and, i'm guessing, most webhosts will not upgrade for awhile.

so, if you're hoping to learn php and then do freelance, you might just stick with 4.

[pepper]

I am trying to create php in the /var/www/html folder of my apache server on a user account on my computer. Is there a way that I can create and edit files in this directory without su - or being logged in as root ?

My OS is Fedora Core 1

thanks

[ph34r]

addgroup web

chown root.web /var/www/htdocs
chmod -R g+rwx /var/www/htdocs

then edit /etc/group and put your username next to the web group. Log out completely (but no reboot needed) and then log back in, and you should have all rights to the htdocs directory.

[pepper]

Is there a good PHP book that can teach me how to code in PHP?

Thank you

Pepper

[eriksays]

i like "php and mysql, web development."

do and amazon search or something

also, phpbuilder.com, devshed.com, zend.com and umm.... this website are helpful