XAMPP

3.0 stars

"Not recommended for up-and-coming web developers."

March 30, 2011  |   By toughtech

Version: XAMPP 1.7.3

Pros

Easy install on multiple platforms. Great for "getting it to work".

Cons

Doesn't teach people how to properly configure and setup a web server.
Default install is unacceptable for production environment, (Insecure) even though some people intend to use it that way.

Summary

Although it is a great product for people who only have a passing interest in being a website developer, maintainer, etc., XAMPP should not EVEN BE CONSIDERED by a person who intends to make a living doing web design.

Why? Because XAMPP allows people to remain ignorant of the many things that it takes to get a web server up and running, and to optimize it once it IS running.

XAMPP is perfect for people who "don't read the manual", because it provides a working environment without any need for the people to intervene.

A better knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes is an important step to becoming a good web application designer. If you don't know the difference between a MySQL persistent connection in PHP running as an Apache Module vs. PHP running under FastCGI, YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS USING XAMPP.

The question might arise, "How hard is it, really, to install php, perl, apache, etc.?"

The answer? Not that bad. My first install was when I was 12, and it took me 2 hours, INCLUDING DOWNLOAD TIME. Since then, I can usually complete an installation in 20-30 minutes. While you may not find it that easy, here is my advice to you: READ THE MANUAL.

It's not like the people that develop these things TRY to make it hard on you!

On a side note, I ask "XAMPP for Linux?!!" Why would you need it when most of the things in XAMPP come preinstalled on the server distros, and can be added with a simple "pacman" or "apt get" command?

One last thing. The largest excuse I have heard for using XAMPP is "I only use it on my developer machine, and then I upload it to another web server." Bad news for you my friend! XAMPP is indeed a (casual) developers dream come true, but when you take that perfectly working web application of yours, and upload it to the web, all of a sudden, you realize that your developer machine has a different CONFIGURATION than your webserver, and worse than that, you don't even know how to access the configuration file, what to do when you do find it, and what those errors about "open_basedir" and "Can't find in include_path" even mean.
I feel sorry for you, but not too much. I did my reading earlier, you get to do it later. Either way, you end up learning it.

So now reader...What do you think?

--
techdude a.k.a. tough tech.

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4.0 stars

"do its job for a laptop testing localhost php apps"

March 2, 2011  |   By sorinciuca

Version: XAMPP 1.7.4

Pros

easy to use,

Cons

problems with emails generated php sent via mercury + Internet phone modem

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5.0 stars

"Brilliant server software - easy to use"

November 2, 2010  |   By Aurora_7

Version: XAMPP 1.7.3

Pros

Ideal for testing and modifying server based software, such as an ecommerce system, forum, CMS etc, without having to upload the files to a web host. It?s very easy to install and use.

Cons

Skype uses the same port as Xampp: so if you try to run Xampp while Skype is running, it will not work. A simple solution is to disable Skype while using Xampp.

Summary

This version of Xampp will work on Windows 7 64 bit.
I mention this because there are a few tales of woe on the web, with respect to installing Xampp on Win7. The only thing I changed was to install it into a folder, C:\Xampp.

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4.0 stars

"easy to use"

February 26, 2010  |   By martin_abc

Version: XAMPP 1.7.2

Pros

Very easy to use, perfect for beginners. I have no problems with this package.

Cons

Dont see any cons here.
But of course, for more experienced user it is better to configure apache & php & mysql myselfs.. ;-)

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5.0 stars

"Ga er mee aan de slag"

November 11, 2009  |   By jmlorist

Version: XAMPP 1.7.1

Pros

Vind het goed om mee te werken

Cons

heek gemakkelijk te installeren en prima geschikt voor mijn doel

Summary

prima

Updated on Nov 11, 2009

Prima programma en goed voor mij

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5.0 stars

"this is the best web technology I ever use."

February 8, 2009  |   By agussusilo

Version: XAMPP 1.7.0

Pros

very easy to install and use it, user friendly.

Cons

not found yet

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5.0 stars

"good complete web server"

January 15, 2008  |   By paulpanzerblues

Version: XAMPP 1.6.2

Pros

has everything you need to setup your own web server. especially useful for developers who want to test their sites.

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5.0 stars

"Does what it's supposed to."

August 13, 2007  |   By Qwerty Cake

Version: XAMPP 1.6.2

Pros

XAMPP does what it's supposed to and it does it well without slowing down your computer. There is a portable version for flash drives. It comes with PHP MyAdmin, and I'm sure there's a way to install Cpanel onto it.

Cons

XAMPP is a little confusing, but if you're getting into programming in PHP and using MySQL, you should be smart enough to figure it out.

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4.0 stars

"Good"

June 30, 2007  |   By aruns_on_line

Version: XAMPP 1.6.2

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