The XAMPP Control Panel has start and stop controls for the local Apache and MariaDB services. XAMPP bundles those services with PHP and Perl so a Windows PC can serve and test web projects locally.
The Control Panel manages Apache and MariaDB
Start Apache to serve pages through a browser, and start MariaDB for projects that need a database. The Control Panel also provides module controls and status information, keeping the main local services together in one window.
With both services running, open a local address such as localhost in a browser to see pages served by Apache. The site can be tested on the same computer without uploading it to a web host.
Apache serves files from htdocs
Place a project in XAMPP's htdocs document root, then request its local address in a browser. PHP pages run through the bundled PHP interpreter, letting developers test server-side output alongside regular web files. Perl is included as another server-side scripting option.
This workflow suits PHP development, coursework, and experiments with web applications or content management systems. Changes to local files can be viewed on the local server as work progresses.
phpMyAdmin provides a browser interface for databases
XAMPP includes phpMyAdmin, which provides a browser-based interface for working with MariaDB databases. Use it to create and manage databases for a local project without leaving the browser-based development workflow.
A typical test setup combines Apache for page delivery, PHP for application logic, and MariaDB for stored data. XAMPP brings those components together on the same computer.
Pros
- Starts and stops Apache and MariaDB from the Control Panel
- Runs PHP and Perl projects on a local Apache server
- Includes phpMyAdmin for browser-based database administration
- Serves project files from the htdocs document root
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8 · 64-bit only
What does XAMPP include?
It bundles Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl, along with phpMyAdmin for database administration.
How do I view a local project in a browser?
Put the project files in htdocs, start Apache in the XAMPP Control Panel, and open the project's localhost address.
Can XAMPP run a PHP site without a remote web host?
Yes. Apache and PHP can serve and process the site locally for development and testing.