Running PHP etc on your PC or laptop

It is possible to install a webserver with PHP, Mysql, (and Perl) on your PC/laptop. There are packages available, which are very easy to install and run (just a single file to download). This page provides an overview of such packages. One example is WAMP. Because I don't use PCs, I have not tested any of these packages and cannot guarantee that they will be save to use.

If you happen to own a Linux or Mac OS X computer, you don't need to install anything because these tools should be preinstalled. You just need to start the webserver.

Some hints for working in a SSH window

  • Editor: jpico (or pico or vi or nano).
  • Use the arrow keys to repeat a previous command.
  • Use the tab key to complete a filename.
  • If the arrow keys or the tab key do not work, type "setenv TERM vt100" or "setenv TERM xterm". (You would have to do this once during every session.)
  • In Pico, you can use Ctrl-K to delete/cut a line and Ctrl-U to get it back (paste). You can cut/uncut several adjacent lines in one go.

    Connecting from a home computer to a remote webserver

    A secure shell (SSH) client is needed. On Linux and Mac OS X, such a client is usually preinstalled (type "ssh" at the command-line). For PCs there are several clients freely available for download, such as PuTTY. Please, note that using and installing PuTTY on your home computer is at your own risk. Please, further note that encryption software such as PuTTY may be illegal is some countries (but PuTTY seems to be legally ok in the UK at the moment).

    Some general Unix commands

    Change to mydirectorycd mydirectory
    Create newdirectorymkdir newdirectory
    Remove (delete) olddirrmdir olddir
    Move (rename) olddir to newdirmv -i olddir newdir
    Show name of current dir.pwd
    Allow others to read and execute files in current directory chmod go+rx .
    List files in current dir.ls
    List all (incl. hidden)files, with detailsls -la
    Show contents of myfile more myfile
    Move (rename) oldfile to newfilemv -i oldfile newfile
    Copy origfile to duplicatefilecp -i origfile duplicatefile
    Remove (delete) oldfile rm -i oldfile
    Allow others to read/change sharedfilechmod go+rw sharedfile
    Show the first few lines of largefile head largefile
    Show the last few lines of largefiletail largefile
    Edit a text filepico or emacs or vi or nano
    Find commands related to keywordman -k keyword
    Read manual for command man command
    Find true name of cmdwhich cmd
    Show environment variablesprintenv
    Change environvariablesetenv environvariable value