Local Host Web Server – A Step-by-Step Guide for Dev

Hey Dev, are you looking to set up your own local host web server? Well, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process with 20 consecutive headings about local host web server in a relaxed English language.

What is a Local Host Web Server?

A local host web server is a software package that allows you to create and develop websites on your local machine. With a local host web server, you can test your website changes in a safe environment without affecting your live website.

There are many programs available that can help you set up a local host web server. Some of the most popular include XAMPP, WAMP, and MAMP. In this article, we’ll be using XAMPP as our local host web server software package.

Downloading and Installing XAMPP

The first step in setting up your local host web server is to download and install XAMPP.

You can download XAMPP for free from the Apache Friends website. Select the version that is appropriate for your operating system, and follow the prompts to install it on your computer.

Once XAMPP is installed, you can start the program and begin setting up your local host web server.

Starting and Stopping XAMPP

To start XAMPP, simply open the program and click the “Start” button next to the components you wish to run. To stop XAMPP, click the “Stop” button next to each component.

Alternatively, you can start and stop XAMPP from the command line by running the following command:

sudo /opt/lampp/lampp start

To stop XAMPP from the command line, run the following command:

sudo /opt/lampp/lampp stop

Creating a Virtual Host

In order to serve your website on your local host web server, you’ll need to create a virtual host. A virtual host is a configuration file that tells your web server where to find your website files.

To create a virtual host in XAMPP, follow these steps:

1. Open the “httpd-vhosts.conf” file in a text editor. This file is located in the “conf/extra” directory of your XAMPP installation.
2. Add a new virtual host configuration block to the file. The block should look something like this:

<VirtualHost *:80>DocumentRoot "/path/to/your/website/files"ServerName yourdomain.localErrorLog "logs/yourdomain-error_log"CustomLog "logs/yourdomain-access_log" common</VirtualHost>

Replace “yourdomain.local” with the name of your virtual host, and “/path/to/your/website/files” with the path to your website files.

Save the file, and then restart your web server.

Creating a Hosts File Entry

In order to access your virtual host in your browser, you’ll need to create a hosts file entry. This tells your computer where to find your virtual host when you type its name into your browser.

To create a hosts file entry, follow these steps:

1. Open the “hosts” file in a text editor. This file is located in the “/etc” directory on Unix-based systems or “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc” on Windows systems.
2. Add a new line to the file with the IP address of your local host web server and the name of your virtual host. The line should look something like this:

127.0.0.1 yourdomain.local

Save the file, and then close your text editor.

Creating a Database and User

If your website requires a database, you’ll need to create one on your local host web server. You’ll also need to create a user with privileges to access the database.

To create a database and user in XAMPP, follow these steps:

1. Start your XAMPP control panel.
2. Click on the “phpMyAdmin” button.
3. Create a new database by clicking on the “New” button in the left-hand menu. Enter a name for your database and click “Create”.
4. Create a new user by clicking on the “User accounts” tab in the top menu. Enter a name for your user and a password. Make sure to select “Local” as the host for your user.
5. Assign privileges to your user by clicking on the “Privileges” tab in the top menu. Select your new user from the list, and then click the “Edit Privileges” button.
6. Select the privileges you wish to assign to your user, and then click “Go” to save your changes.

Uploading Your Website Files

Now that you’ve set up your local host web server, created a virtual host, and created a database and user, it’s time to upload your website files.

You can do this using your favorite FTP client, or by copying your files directly to the DocumentRoot folder of your virtual host.

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between a local host web server and a live web server?

A: A local host web server is a software package that allows you to create and develop websites on your local machine. A live web server is a computer that is accessible over the internet and is used to host live websites.

Q: Can I use XAMPP on a Windows machine?

A: Yes, XAMPP is available for Windows, Mac, and Unix-based systems.

Q: Do I need to create a virtual host to use XAMPP?

A: No, you can use XAMPP without creating a virtual host. However, creating a virtual host allows you to serve multiple websites from the same XAMPP installation.

Q: Can I access my virtual host from other computers on my network?

A: Yes, you can access your virtual host from other computers on your network by using your computer’s IP address instead of “localhost” or “127.0.0.1”.

Q: How do I connect to a database on my local host web server?

A: To connect to a database on your local host web server, you’ll need to use the hostname “localhost” and the credentials you created for your database user.

Conclusion

Setting up a local host web server is a great way to develop and test your website changes in a safe environment. With XAMPP and the tips in this article, you’ll be up and running in no time.