Beginner's Guide

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Versions of MySQL databases

And on top of that, you can install and operate all these components on various operating systems.

This freedom in choice of resources can sometimes confuse a layman. Therefore, we will discuss a

few typical scenarios.

LOCAL TEST ENVIRONMENT

If you are at home or in your ofﬁce, for example, and want to set up a Joomla website, you may use

any of the following operating systems.

Windows Operating System

For a Windows operating system you can use either of two web servers:.

You take a pre-conﬁgured package (XAMPP), unpack it on your computer, and everything you need

is there (http://apachefriends.org).

Linux Operating System

Here it depends on the distribution version you have. All the distributions allow simple installation

(with a click of the mouse) of the Apache, PHP, and MySQL packages. At times, depending on

distribution, they may already be pre-installed. So you can use the programs contained in the

distribution or a preconﬁgured package (XAMPP); extract it on your computer and everything you need

is there (http://apachefriends.org).

Mac OS X Operating System

In Mac OS X operating system, you have a default web server (Apache) in your system that you have

to activate, but unfortunately not PHP and no MySQL.

So you can use the installed Apache web server and install the missing software or the pre-conﬁgured

XAMPP package for Mac OS X. Another complete package by the name of MAMP is also very

popular with the Mac OS X environment (http://www.mamp.info).

PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT

You have several options here as well.

Rented Virtual Server

You rent a web-space package with database, PHP support, and often also your domain name from a

provider. In this case you have a functional environment and you can install your Joomla into it. Consult

your provider as to the version choices (PHP, MySQL). Sometimes providers offer Joomla pre-installed

with various templates. IIf this is the case, all you have to do is activate Joomla with a click of the mouse

and it is ready for you.

Your Own Server

Joomla! 2.5 - Beginner’s Guide

Monday, 30 January 2012! Page 37