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Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

giraffeandtiger
Grafter
Posts: 68
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎03-09-2007

Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

Hi,
I want to develop some perl CGI scripts to put in my CGI area of my webspace.
I want to be able to test them locally on my machine before uploading them to my webspace.  Can anyone recommend a way of doing this?  (preferably without spending any money) I don't even need the test server to be accessible outside of my local machine - just be able to serve up the right stuff to my browser when I access it on my machine.
I already know of a great way to do this with MYSQL and PHP - a great little app called Webserver On a Stick (WOS) recommended to me on these forums, but unfortunately I don't think it supports perl CGI scripts.
I'm using Windows XP, so would need the test server to run on this OS - much like WOS can.
Thanks,
Alan
11 REPLIES 11
itsme
Grafter
Posts: 5,924
Thanks: 3
Registered: ‎07-04-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

chillypenguin
Grafter
Posts: 4,729
Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_WAMPs
My recommendation would be xampp;
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html
Scrub that recommendation, no mention of pearl.  Undecided OK found it.
Chilly
Peter_Vaughan
Grafter
Posts: 14,469
Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

I use XAMPP to do site demos on a laptop but I have my own local Linux web server for development. If you have a spare PC perhaps setting up your own Linux web server is an option.
giraffeandtiger
Grafter
Posts: 68
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎03-09-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

Hi,
thanks for all the great advice - I've just tried the first suggestion and it's looking good.  Cheesy
Alan
alkatraz
Dabbler
Posts: 24
Registered: ‎22-06-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

What about Apache? It is the most extensively used and, IMO, best webserver software you can buy - wait you can't buy it 'cos it's free.
In developing a PHP based asset tracking system I spent the time testing on local installs of Apache&MySQL on WindowsXP.
giraffeandtiger
Grafter
Posts: 68
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎03-09-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

Apache does sound the most obvious thing to do.  You'll have to forgive my ignorance, I'm quite new to all this - I assumed Apache was only a linux thingy.  I'm up and running with Aprelium now - but will probably get around to using Apache - is it simple to configure?  This aprelium offering was up in a few clicks of my mouse - all configured through a web page.
Alan
alkatraz
Dabbler
Posts: 24
Registered: ‎22-06-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

Grandpa
Grafter
Posts: 48
Registered: ‎05-10-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

As chillypenguin said xampp is an excellent FREE package it will install Apache, MySQL, a mail server .... the lot.
Here is a list from the site.
Apache HTTPD 2.2.4, MySQL 5.0.45, PHP 5.2.3 + 4.4.7 + PEAR + Switch, MiniPerl 5.8.7, Openssl 0.9.8e, PHPMyAdmin 2.10.3, XAMPP Control Panel 2.5, Webalizer 2.01-10, Mercury Mail Transport System v4.01a, FileZilla FTP Server 0.9.23, SQLite 2.8.15, ADODB 4.94, Zend Optimizer 3.3.0, XAMPP Security, Ming. For Windows 98, 2000, XP
And here is the link again.
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html
I have this installed on a laptop (So I can work on the move) and also on a second PC on my home network and access it like you would any web server.
All easily installed and set-up within one package.

alkatraz
Dabbler
Posts: 24
Registered: ‎22-06-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

Never looked at XAMPP, could well be good. I'm too much of a purist myself and prefer to install and configure Apache manually. Especially if I have a Slackware box to do it on instead of Windows.
Grandpa
Grafter
Posts: 48
Registered: ‎05-10-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

There are versions of Xampp for other OS's ie linux and Mac
you can find them all here
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html
giraffeandtiger
Grafter
Posts: 68
Thanks: 1
Registered: ‎03-09-2007

Re: Can anyone recommend a webserver to test with locally on my machine?

Thanks for all the good advice, going to go with Xampp.
Alan