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Learn XAMPP with online courses and programs

XAMPP is an open-source software package that provides a local web server environment for testing and development. It helps you test web applications locally before deployment, ensuring they function correctly on a live server.
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What is XAMPP?

XAMPP, which stands for Cross-Platform, Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl, is a free platform that allows developers to test their code locally on their own computers. This platform provides the experience of having your own mini web server at home, compatible with both Windows (WAMP) and Linux (LAMP) environments.Footnote 1 It is a safe space to experiment and perfect code before it goes live.

XAMPP also works with Bitnami, a software installer, allowing you to easily add web applications like OpenSSL, WordPress, and Joomla to your local server.Footnote 2 If you're aiming to become or you are a web developer, XAMPP is a useful tool to help you practice and enhance your coding skills.

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Related topics

Software TestingInformation TechnologyCodingJRubyUnit TestingFastAPIJava
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XAMPP tutorial curriculum

Are you curious about how to learn XAMPP? Online courses can help you better understand how to use the platform. 

A XAMPP tutorial may teach you how to:Footnote 3

  • Install and configure XAMPP based on specific projects.

  • Understand the role of each component in XAMPP in a web server stack.

  • Create and manage databases with phpMyAdmin.

  • Write and execute a basic PHP script.

  • Secure XAMPP to prevent unauthorized access.  

More advanced topics covered in a XAMPP course may describe how to debug PHP scripts with tools like XDebug, troubleshoot common deployment issues, and optimize database performance.

Start building the knowledge you need to work in web development with edX. From accelerated boot camps to comprehensive programs that allow you to earn a bachelor’s degree or, for more advanced learners, a master’s degree, there are many different learning formats available to fit your needs. Busy professionals can even take advantage of executive education courses tailored to those in leadership and management positions. Find the right course for you.

Explore jobs that use XAMPP

Many professionals can use XAMPP in their day-to-day tasks to test and debug code. These job roles include:

  • Front-end developer: Uses web development languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build the “front-end” or graphical interface of a website or application.Footnote 4

  • Full-stack developer: Builds both the front- and back-end of a website or application with languages like Python, PHP, and JavaScript.Footnote 5

  • Game developer: Creates and tests features for games that are in development for PCs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices.Footnote 6

  • IT engineer: Builds and maintains a company’s technology infrastructure. They may also create and deploy software solutions.Footnote 7

  • Software developer: Writes and maintains code for new software with languages like Java, PHP, and JavaScript.Footnote 8

Whether you wish to pursue a career as a front-end developer or an IT engineer, a coding boot camp can help you build the programming skills you need for these roles.

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Frequently asked questions

XAMPP is a web server solution stack that helps developers create local environments. It allows them to test and troubleshoot their code before they deploy it to a main server. What’s the difference between XAMPP and WAMP? XAMPP supports multiple platforms, but WAMP is only available for Windows.Footnote 9 As for the differences between XAMPP and MAMP, both are tools to help set up local web environments. However, MAMP is primarily designed for macOS. It also offers a paid version with additional features like a built-in email server.Footnote 10

How you use XAMPP will depend on the project you’re working on. If, for example,  you’re developing a WordPress site, you can manually install WordPress in the 'htdocs' folder of your XAMPP installation or use an installer like Bitnami, which simplifies the process. After installation, you can access the WordPress site locally for development and testing via 'localhost'. This allows you to build and modify your site in a safe, offline environment before deploying it to a live server.

Mercury Mail is a mail server that comes with XAMPP. Footnote 11 Start the Mercury Mail module in XAMPP and add more local users. Then enter the details for the email addresses you want to create. Restart the Mercury Mail Service from the control panel, and you should be able to send and receive emails from a localhost XAMPP server.

Yes, XAMPP is a web server that runs on a local computer. Developers can use it to build and test their projects before they deploy them to a main server.

XAMPP is an open-source web server solution stack from Apache Friends. It’s a web development tool that lets developers write and test their code on a local web server. MySQL is a database management system based on structured query language (SQL) — a programming language used to create, modify, and delete data in a database.Footnote 12 It allows you to create a XAMPP MySQL database.