What Is WampServer. Uses, Features, Opinions, Prices

WampServer It is a web development environment Windows, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. It is a software that automatically installs everything you need to start developing web applications, and is very intuitive to use.

As a reminder, Apache is the most popular open source web server, MySQL It is the most popular open source database, used by a large number of websites worldwide, and PHP is a general-purpose server-side scripting language designed to produce dynamic web pages.

By combining these components into a single installation package, WampServer allows users to set up a server locally on their Windows machine to create dynamic web applications with Apache, PHP and the database MySQL under the same development conditions as on the production server.

What is WampServer

WAMP It is an acronym formed by the initials of the operating system Microsoft Windows and the main components of the package: Apache, MySQL y PHP.

WampServer, As we mentioned above, it is a web development platform on Windows that allows you to create dynamic web applications with Apache2, PHP, MySQL and MariaDB. WampServer automatically installs everything you need to develop web applications intuitively.

You will be able to fine-tune your server without even touching the configuration files. The best thing of all is that WampServer It is available for free (under the GPML license) in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

WampServer It is lightweight, easy to use and stable. It is open source and free, although it encourages its happy users to make donations via PayPal on the developers' website.

WampServer is not supported on Windows XP, SP3 or Windows Server 2003.

One of the great benefits de WampServer It allows you to develop, update components, perform any web development tasks and carefully test everything offline first, reducing the risks of creating problems on the live server.

What can WampServer be used for?

In general, developers or users use WampServer to test various web applications or websites locally before going live.

For example, if you want to build a WordPress website, before launching your website or purchasing hosting, you can learn how to install WordPress, configure themes, etc. locally using WampServer.

Therefore, for the ease of users, especially newbies, to create dynamic websites, the developers of this software have integrated:

• Apache web server o Apache HTTP Server: To allow users to test web pages or applications in the Windows browser.
• PHP: Sequence language commands of hypertext preprocessor for web development and can be embedded in HTML.
• MySQL: A management system of databases relational used by many database-driven web applications like Joomla, WordPress, Drupal, etc. to store data.

All three WampServer packages are open source.

All of this can be operated from a simple graphical menu and configuration environment. You no longer have to modify the configuration file in person, WampServer will do it. No more need to ask about PHP installation issues everywhere, WampServer will do everything for you.

This software is completely free and can be downloaded in the latest version from its official website. WampServer supports 22 languages, you can switch to any of them by right clicking on the tray icon which can be easily switched after installation and launch.

WampServer also supports phpMyAdmin, MariaDB, Adminer, PhpSysInfo. You don't have to enter complicated SQL statements to manage MYSQL database, you can manage it directly from phpMyAdmin which provides a graphical user interface to create, manage and delete databases.

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How to Use WampServer?

Open any Internet browser, and go to the URL http://localhost  to access your local website.

Directory «Www» will be automatically created in the installation folder of WampServerYou can put all of your site's files in this directory or create subdirectories in it. «Www» for different websites and put your web files inside them.

Create and manage databases using phpMyAdmin from http://localhost/phpmyadmin/index.php.  Log in to the database server using root without password.

Look for the little icon of WampServer at the bottom right of the taskbar, left-click on it to:

• Manage Apache and MySQL services.
• Configure access.
• Manage server settings.
• Access the records.
• Access configuration files.
• Create aliases.

Features of WampServer

• Apache web server.
• MySQL database server.
• MariaDB Server.
• Language PHP Scripting
• MySQL Workbench GUI.
• WAMP Server Tools.
• PhpMyAdmin for managing databases.
• Manage Apache and MySQL services.
• Switch to online/offline mode (accessible to everyone or limited to localhost).
• Manage your servers' configuration parameters
• Access your records.
• Access configuration files.

Advantages

• Easy to install
• Customizable versions of applications and services.
• Customizable application menu items.
• Easy VirtualHost creation.
• Is free.
• Very easy to perform, ideal for beginners.
• Great compatibility.

Disadvantages

• It is difficult to configure VHOSTS.
• Documentation difficult to find.

Plans and prices

WampServer does not offer any kind of payment plan. It is completely free and available on its official website.

How and where to download WampServer

WampServer is very easy to install. Simply download the installation file from WampServer and follow the on-screen instructions. WampServer will, by default, use the latest versions of Apache, MySQL and PHP.

Once WampServer is installed, it is possible to add as many versions of Apache, MySQL and PHP as you wish. To change to a different version, simply select it from the menu WampServer.

When you install WampServer, a directory is automatically created «Www» (normally the route is c:\wamp\www). You can create a subfolder in which to place all your PHP files.

Then, start your Web navigator and enter http://localhost in the address bar and the configuration screen will be displayed. This screen details the version of each component and the list of loaded extensions and in the tools tab you will find the well-known phpMyAdmin y SQLiteManager.

Once launched, the application adds an icon to the Windows system tray (or taskbar).

Left-clicking this icon opens a drop-down menu with several options: start, stop, and restart the Apache and MySQL services, use online or offline mode, manage specific server settings, access configuration files, or view log files.

Right-clicking allows you to change the application language, close the application, and display the “About WampServer”, and click on “Help” will take you to the WampServer website, which has additional documentation, a forum, and small add-on sections.

Opinions of users who have used WampServer

Let's see some opinions from users who have already tried WampServer.

• Liberty:

“I’ve been a XAMPP devotee for a long time, but the recent releases have been nothing but a total pain. I tried a couple of alternatives, but WampServer ran absolutely everything without any issues or errors, which is exactly what you want with a development platform.

Xampp has been put in the recycle bin and WampServer is the new king on my systems. Easy to use and doesn’t “crash” like much of the competition. Excellent product that is really worth the effort.”

• Falameda:

“Excellent software and VERY EASY to install and update. Those who say it is complicated: READ the instructions or ask someone to install and update the app for you! Thank you Hervé Leclerc and all your team.”

• phill104:

“I have been using WAMP for many years. Aside from some compatibility issues, it has served me very well. A big thanks to the development team for their excellent work.”

• Shelbachus:

You guys did a great job designing and coding the 64-bit version. Many years ago, it literally took me days to get a clean install. I downloaded the latest version tonight, took a deep breath, and clicked “Install.”

It was clean on the first shot. WampServer was literally up and running with all services in less than 15 minutes, and that includes There complete download package. Thanks again for developing a remarkably strong product.”

Alternatives to WampServer. The 5 Best of this year

Below you will see some software similar to WampServer.

1. MAMP

At first, made for MAC, MAMP It is a program equivalent to XAMPP, with a course of action that grants a web server on your home PC, which also opens directly for Windows clients.

Featuring Apache server with several essential SSL modules, MySQL Database, PHP with crucial libraries included, Python and Perl, PhpMyAdmin is available in a paid version that also comes with an unlimited number of virtual hosts.

As a distribution of Linux, is a combination of programming free. It is released under the GNU General Public License and may therefore be transmitted without inhibition within the limitations of this license.

2. Abyss Web Server

Abyss Web Server Abyss Web Server is an amazing alternative to having pages through a local framework or the Internet. Thanks to Abyss Web Server, any client can have the opportunity to remotely access the content provided on the PC, whether it is website pages, music, movies, etc.

Some of the advancements that this web server maintains include URL overwriting, custom error page, Unicode, secure associations via SSL or TLS, content dialects (CGI and Fast CGI, Local ASP .NET, ISAPI).

The capabilities to control server access, the threat of hacking security devices, and a framework to guarantee against accidents also shape this server.

3. Zend Server

Zend Server is a web server that you can run on your local PC, it will allow you to run and stream PHP applications. This software incorporates more than 80 PHP servers.

It tends to integrate with various web servers like Apache, IIS or Nginx. You can modify PHP settings, submit websites with a single click, even custom content, a management framework like Magento, WordPress, etc.

It is intended for professional designers of large or small web applications. It tends to be seen as another great answer to tools like XAMPP and Wamp. It incorporates a debugger, storage in data caching, application monitor and more.

It is broadcast as local groups for all Linux, Windows, MAC OS X, and IBM properties.

4. AMPPS

AMPPS, is a web server that allows clients to code web applications on your PC using PHP.

This company currently features Apache, MySQL, MongoDB, PHP, Perl, and Python, and you will have the ability to code, test, and research applications written in these programming dialects.

This tool's license allows you to create and cooperate with multiple MySQL databases, features different administration frameworks like WordPress, Joomla, access extraction arrangements and configurations for each module.

It can be used on Windows, Mac, Linux. Start developing your website from open source web applications or you can create code yourself.

You can perform complex capabilities like pulling down your database or permanently backing up your entire website with just a click of a button.

5. EasyPHP

EasyPHP It is a potential answer to run a web server on your PC and create web applications in local condition before putting it into operation.

Using it, you can install and use segments like Apache server, PHP, MySQL, PhpMyAdmin and Xdebug.

It also supports the installation of additional modules, the great advantage of this application is that it is portable, so you can use it from USB. It incorporates quick connections to start or stop administration, change PHP settings, ports and more.

From the installation program you can install several additional modules depending on the CMS or administration that you use on your website, whether it is WordPress, JOOMLA, DRUPAL, PRESTASHOP, SPIP, or PHPBB among others.

Plus, it's portable, so you can run it anywhere without any installation.

FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions related to WampServer.

1. How to run a PHP script?

When clicked, all PHP files and scripts placed in the www folder will be processed by the Apache server, where any PHP code will be parsed and processed by the PHP application.

It's almost magical how a script PHP can establish a database connection, execute a query against the database, and dynamically return the results to the client. Depending on the nature of your script, the results may be returned as HTML to the client's browser for viewing.

During development, when PHP encounters any code errors, PHP has the ability to display error messages which are great clues to find the source of the error.

The process of checking for errors and finding solutions is part of any programmer's learning curve and reason enough to set up a local development server.

2. Is WampServer safe?

Completely safe. You just need to download it from their official site.

3. How to Uninstall WampServer?

• If you can't find the installation path, and you can't remember the WampServer desktop shortcut correctly, click Open file location.
• Search exe, and double-click it to open it. This is the uninstaller.
• A dialog box will appear asking if you want to completely remove the software, click Yes.
• Uninstallation is done quickly. Done.

Conclusion

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To conclude, server-side programming certainly has its challenges. But now you are aware that setting up a development server with WampServer can save you a lot of time and frustration and provide you with the means to safely develop your next application on your local machine.