This document describes the setup for the Descriptor Systems PHP Programming Workshop, Netbeans 7.4 - XAMPP 1.8.3 Version.
Important: Please print this document and as you install the software, mark up the document with the actual directory paths where you installed the software. Then leave a copy of the marked-up document for the instructor.
With the exception of the operating system, all of the required software is available at no charge for download (some packages will require you to register on a website).
If you have questions or difficulties with the installation, you can contact Joel Barnum at 319-362-3906 or email at .
Instructor machine hardware is the same as students, plus any additional requirements listed below.
Instructor machine software is the same as students, plus any additional requirements listed below.
Windows XP: Create a folder in the root directory of drive C: named php. You will install some of the required software into this directory.
Windows Vista or later: Login in with the same user name that the students will use, and note the user name here:
Student user name: ____________________________________
In the "home" directory for that user (e.g. c:\Users\username, create a folder named php. You will install some of the required software into this directory.
Download the latest released Java Standard Edition Development Kit (JDK) for Windows from:
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
Note: Be sure to download the JDK, not the JRE or a JDK "bundle".
Install the JDK using all of the defaults.
To test the Java runtime installation, choose Start - Run, then enter cmd and press OK. In the new command prompt window, enter:
java -fullversion
You should see the version number of the JDK that you installed.
Download the NetBeans IDE For PHP and HTML 5:
https://netbeans.org/downloads.html .
Ensure that the Platform is Windows, then click the Download button under the HTML5 & PHP column. The file name should be something like netbeans-7.4-php-windows.exe.
WARNING: Be sure to download the HTML5 and PHP version.
To install, run netbeans-7.4-php-windows.exe. Accept all defaults.
To test, run NetBeans 7.4 from the Windows Start menu.
Download XAMPP for Windows from:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/xampp/files/XAMPP%20Windows/1.8.3/
Download the file named xampp-portable-win32-1.8.3-2-VC11.zip (should be first one listed).
To install, unzip the archive to the php directory you created in an earlier step. You should end up with a subdirectory named xampp.
To setup XAMPP, run the setup_xampp.bat script in the php/xampp directory. It should execute with no errors.
To test the XAMPP installation, run the xampp_start.exe program in the php/xampp directory - it should open a command-prompt window in which the server is running. Leaving the command-prompt window open, start a Web browser and enter http://localhost - you should see an XAMPP Web page. Click the English link - you should see the XAMPP for Windows Welcome page.
Stop XAMMP by running the xampp_stop.exe program in the php/xampp directory.
Download the Student Exercise Archive from http://www.descriptor.com/setupguides/php/setup/starters.zip.
Unzip the archive to the php directory you created earlier. You should end up with a subdirectory named starters.
Repeat the Student software setup on the instructor machine.