Datasheet

P1: KTX
WY027-01 WY027-Mercer WY027-v2.cls June 5, 2004 0:44
Getting Up and Running
Figure 1-19
Did the file you tested work? Or are you reading this section right now because the file didn’t
work? Don’t worry; it’s very common for problems to occur anytime you try something new,
especially when it comes to computers and programming. In fact, consider yourself lucky if it didn’t
work because you’ll learn a lot more about PHP and programming from your mistakes than from your
successes.
So let’s start at the beginning. Troubleshooting and debugging comprise the process of
identifying problems, deducing possible causes, logically isolating those causes until you’ve identified
the most likely culprit, and then trying solutions. The end result is that the problem is fixed and if you’ve
done a good job, you’ll have fixed the problem (in an elegant, robust way) without causing other
problems.
Chapter 5 covers debugging in more detail; for now, though, let’s look at the steps for troubleshooting
your installation of PHP:
1. Check that the Web server is on and running properly. In Windows 2000, do this by checking
Services (Start
➪ Programs ➪ Administrative Tools ➪ Services), specifically Internet Admin
Services and World Wide Web Publishing Service. Just because these are set to Automatic
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