XAMPP Download for Windows 10/8/7/XP (64bit,32bit), Mac, Linux & Portable

XAMPP is the most famous PHP and Perl development environment. It helps developers to setup a local server which is fully equipped with all necessary tools and helps them to work at high speed. It is a totally free, very simple in installing Apache distribution containing Maria DB (MySQL), PHP, and Perl. The set up of the the package is extremely easy for multiple operating systems like Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Solaris.

XAMPP stands for:

X: Cross-Platform

A: Apache

M: Maria DB (MySQL formerly)

P: PHP

P: Perl

  • The above expansion elaborates that it is a cross-platform application developed by Apache Friends, which works perfectly on different operating systems like Windows, Linux and Mac. 
  • Maria DB (updated version of MySQL) is the database system used to store content and data of the website.
  • PHP is scripting language used on server side for web development.
  • Perl is also a scripting language used to develop web application (especially large projects are written in Perl).
XAMPP
XAMPP GUI

Why XAMPP?

XAMPP has been set up to be the simplest and easiest method to install and run a development server. It is a complete open source package very easy to use, on the contrary to the other WAMP packages. There is a start button on XAMPP which initiates the web server and other processes. As mentioned above Apache, Maria DB (MySQL), PHP and Perl are its most popular tools. It also includes some very useful tools such as the phpMyAdmin database administration tool, Mercury mail server, FileZilla FTP server, programming language, and JSP server Tomcat.

Easily you can configure the above services in the XAMPP control panel. Tasks such as checking the server status and security launch tools like phpMyAdmin and Webalizer analytics can be carried out from the control panel with ease. For the beginners there are demos for everything which can be of great use. Lets compare it with WAMP. Which one wins the battle regarding features. In the end you will be able to decide which package is suitable for you.

XAMPP Vs WAMP

XAMPP WAMPP
Cross-platform software, works with Windows, Mac and Linux.Only works on Windows.
It includes Apache, Maria DB, PHP and Perl.It comes with Apache, MySQL and PHP.
Clean and simple GUI, suitable for beginners.Simple GUI but more buttons, which makes it best suited for experienced developers.
XAMPP is lightweight server.WAMPP is little bit heavier server.
It consists of more extensions.Limited or less extensions.

This concludes that XAMPP is a complete package for anyone looking to get a full development server up and running within no time. Unlike WAMP it does not have advanced security, so it can’t be used as production server. If you want to make the server Web accessible, then you can do so, by not following the rules of Apache Friends development team.

Prerequisites & Features

Prerequisites for XAMPP are as follows:

  • Only executable file needs to be downloaded and installed.
  • Few or no web server components are required (components that are required for servers).
  • Microsoft Visula C++ 2017 Redistributable is required for Windows Users.

Features of XAMPP are listed below:

  • It is updated to the latest versions of Apache, Maria DB (MySQL), PHP and Perl.
  • It comes with other modules including OpenSSL, phpMyAdmin, MediaWiki, Joomla, WordPress etc.
  • It comes in full and standard version.
  • Single computer can have multiple instances of XAMPP independently, and any of them can be copied to other computer.

How to Use?

The attribute which makes XAMPP popular is the simplicity at which WAMP webserver stack can be deployed and instantiated. Then Bitnami offers some package applications are installed.

Initially, XAMPP was designed as a development tool, for designers and programers  to test their work offline. Therefore there were no security features. Many important security features were disabled by its designers. The latest version of it has the ability to serve pages on Web. Like other administrative tools important and private parts of the package are password protected. It also has a great feature for creating and manipulating databases in Maria DB.

Connecting to MySQL Using PHP

MySQL database server is used to store Websites’ information or content. How you connect to MySQL using PHP in XAMPP is the real task?
For this purpose you need to follow these simple steps:

  1. Go to Admin button in the row next to MySQL.
  2. New database creation tab will open after clicking on admin.

    Name new database like ‘newdb’.
  3. By-default user is ‘root’ with no password. Next step is to write a connect script which will be used to connect MySQL.
    <?php
    $user = 'root';
    $pass =' ';
    $db = 'newdb';
    $ndb = new mysqli ('localhost' , $user , $pass , $db) or die ("connection failed");
    echo "Successful" //if connection is successful then it will print successful
    ?>
  4. This is how your are going to connect to MySQL using PHP, just run the above code. If the user does not know password or other variables then it will generate a warning. This way you may create different users and passwords to connect to XAMMP MySQL.

Download XAMPP

Both full and standard versions of XAMPP are available for the 64-bit as well as 32-bit architectures. Official website of XAMPP has just 64 bit installer download available. For the beginners trying to install 64 bit installer on 32 bit architecture system may face an error i.e. 216. Since there is no direct download link available for 32 bit architecture on Apache friends official website.

For users with operating system with 64 bit architecture there is a direct download link: just click here or visit their official website. For those using Operating system with 32 bit architecture getting above error, you can download XAMPP 32 bit architecture installer: just click here



XAMPP For Windows

Before installation keep in mind that download the installer from a trusted publisher or official websiteAs you have downloaded the installer from above link, now it’s time to install it properly. You may download XAMPP updated version from the link below. If you want other versions to download visit For Windows page.



How to Install XAMPP on Windows

  1. First of all open Web browser.
  2. You can use Google chrome or Safari.
  3. Download XAMPP installation file from the above link or any trusted publisher.
  4. Save this file in any location of your computer.
  5. After when the download is complete, before starting the installation process disable your firewall and disable Antivirus (if already installed in your system) to complete the installation.
  6. Now double click on the .exe file to run installation process.
  7. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen until the process is finished.
  8. Go to your desktop and click on the XAMPP icon to run the application.
  9. This is it, enjoy the fabulous app!

XAMPP for Mac

XAMPP is free for any OS similarly it is completely free for Mac. Also it is very easy to install and run Apache distribution containing MySQL, PHP, and Perl. For Mac OS The package has been set up to be very easy to install and to use like Windows OS.  To install and run it on Mac OS download offline installer setup.

It is an easy to install Apache distribution for Mac OS X. The package for Mac is similar to windows. It includes the Apache web server, MySQL, PHP, Perl, an FTP server and phpMyAdmin.

XAMPP is no doubt a complete package with an easy and simple method to install and run on Mac OS X, unlike other WAMP packages. Apart from tools like Apache, Maria DB (MySQL), PHP and Perl  it also includes some very useful tools such as the phpMyAdmin database administration tool, Mercury mail server, FileZilla FTP server, programming language, and JSP server Tomcat.

As world is going towards very simple and easy steps when it comes to operation. The operation may include installation configuration and running of a software. These all steps are very easy and simple in case of XAMPP. Easily you can configure the above services in the XAMPP control panel. Tasks such as checking the server status and security launch tools like phpMyAdmin and Webalizer analytics can be carried out from the control panel with ease. For the beginners there are demos for everything which can be of great use.

Simply saying, XAMPP is a complete package for Mac users as well. Simple steps and easy GUI of the software makes it perfect choice for the beginners as well for experts. Download XAMPP updated, that has latest Apache, PHP and MySQL versions.



How to Install XAMPP on Mac

  • First of all download XAMPP DMG file for Mac from above link or any trusted publisher.
  • Secondly open the file that you have downloaded.
  • Thirdly put this file into your Applications folder
  • To start it on Mac go to /Applications/XAMPP/manager-osx.app to open XAMPP Control. Then open Manage Servers tab to start Apache and MySQL.
  • To test installation on Mac OS X open browser and type http://localhostXAMPP start pager will be seen.  Enjoy !

XAMPP for Ubuntu

XAMPP is well known to Windows users, as most of the Windows users use it to server development. But it also offers a great package for Ubuntu/Linux as well. Here we will explain how to install and uninstall XAMPP in Ubuntu. These simple steps will help you to accomplish the task smoothly.  Also you can verify the installation ‘done’ bye simply using few URLs. There is a privilege for Ubuntu users that you can uninstall the whole package by just few commands.

We have performed downloading, installation, running and uninstallation in Ubuntu 18.04 LTS system. The method and commands are described below:



How to Install XAMPP on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS System

  • First step is to download the installation file for Ubuntu. You may download XAMPP latest version for Ubuntu click here or use any other trusted publisher for downloading the package.
  •  Open terminal to execute the file. Use shortcut key to open terminal by typing on your keypad ‘Ctrl+Alt+T’. Once the terminal is open, access the downloaded file in the location of your computer. Now it is executable. You can use these commands for accomplishing the process:
$ cd /home/[username]/Downloads

$ chmod 755 [package name]

  •  Now, you have to confirm execute permission by typing

$ ls -l [package name] in terminal.

  • Step 4 will be to launch the Setup Wizard. For this

$ sudo ./[package name]

  •  Then to launch Setup Wizard go through the graphical setup wizard by following the steps appear in the Bitnami GUI.
  • Now, Launch XAMPP through the Terminal. In the CLI type to launch it through terminal.

 $ sudo /opt/lampp/lampp start  

  • Step 7 is to Verify Installation. After when installation is finished you need verify it by typing http://localhost in the browser. In the response you will get a welcome note with the Linux version on screen. Hurrah! You have successfully completed the installation and ready to use.

XAMPP Portable

 Like other portable application XAMPP portable setup also works perfectly. Before running its Portable setup you need to use XAMPP Launcher. Then download the Portable version and install it in the root directory of your portable device or in the subdirectory within the Launcher. Also to open the zip/7z archive of the XAMPP Portable version with 7 –Zip Portable.  



XAMPP Portable is a full package. The complete portable package is equipped with web, database and FTP server for Windows. Like full package, Portable package also has all the necessary tools. It includes:

  • Apache,
  • MySQL,
  • PHP + PEAR,
  • MiniPerl,
  • phpMyAdmin,  
  • OpenSSL,
  • Webalizer,
  • XAMPP Control Panel,
  • FileZilla FTP Server,
  • XAMPP Security,
  • Tomcat
  • Mercury Mail Transport System,
  • ADODB,
  • SQLite,
  • Zend Optimizer,

About Apache Friends

Apache Friends’ ultimate goal is to promote the Apache web server by developing completely free tools like XAMPP. It is a non-profit project just to help developers and programmers. The pacakage is very simple and easy to download, install and run Apache distribution containing Maria DB, PHP, and Perl.

Community

XAMPP has a huge community base as they have been working for 10 years. You may contact them and share your ideas and get involved in discussions by following their facebook page, twitter account, and Google plus. The Apache Friends community is very helping.

https://www.facebook.com/we.are.xampp
https://twitter.com/apachefriends
https://plus.google.com/+xampp/posts

For more information and updates hop on to

https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html