How to Install XAMPP on Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide
XAMPP is a widely-used open-source web development stack that provides an easy way to set up a local development environment on your Linux machine. With components like Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin, XAMPP allows you to build and test web applications seamlessly. In this blog post, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of installing XAMPP on Linux, enabling you to kickstart your web development projects with ease.
Step 1: Download XAMPP
Start by visiting the official XAMPP website (https://www.apachefriends.org/) using your web browser. Locate the download section and select the appropriate version of XAMPP for Linux. Once you’ve made your selection, initiate the download process.
Step 2: Grant Executable Permissions
To ensure that you can run the XAMPP installer, open a terminal window on your Linux machine. Navigate to the directory where the downloaded XAMPP installer file is located. Then, grant executable permissions to the installer file using the following command:
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chmod +x installer-file-name.run
Replace “installer-file-name.run” with the actual name of the downloaded installer file.
Step 3: Run the XAMPP Installer
With executable permissions granted, execute the XAMPP installer by running the following command in the terminal:
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sudo ./installer-file-name.run
Again, replace “installer-file-name.run” with the actual name of the installer file. You will be prompted to enter your system password for authentication.
Step 4: Choose Installation Components
The XAMPP installer will launch a graphical interface to guide you through the installation process. Click on the “Next” button to proceed. On the component selection screen, the default components of Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin are usually pre-selected. However, you can also choose additional components based on your requirements. Once you’ve made your selections, click on the “Next” button to continue.
Step 5: Select Installation Directory
In this step, you need to choose the directory where you want XAMPP to be installed. By default, the installation path is “/opt/lampp”. However, you can select a different directory if desired. Once you’ve made your selection, click on the “Next” button to proceed.
Step 6: Start the Installation
Review the installation settings on the summary screen and click on the “Next” button to initiate the installation process. The installer will begin copying the necessary files and configuring XAMPP on your Linux machine. Wait for the installation to complete.
Step 7: Launch XAMPP
Once the installation process is finished, click on the “Finish” button. To start using XAMPP, open a terminal window and run the following command:
bash
sudo /opt/lampp/lampp start
This command will start the Apache and MySQL services included in XAMPP.
Step 8: Verify Installation
To verify that XAMPP is installed correctly, open a web browser and enter the following URL in the address bar:
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http://localhost
If XAMPP has been installed successfully, you should see the XAMPP welcome page displayed in your browser.
Step 9: Configuring XAMPP
After the installation, you may need to make some configurations based on your specific requirements. Here are a few common configurations you might want to consider:
- Configuring Apache: XAMPP uses Apache as the web server. You can modify the Apache configuration file located in the “/opt/lampp/etc/httpd.conf” directory to customize server settings, virtual hosts, or enable/disable modules.
- Configuring MySQL: XAMPP includes MySQL as the default database management system. To configure MySQL, you can access the phpMyAdmin interface by opening a web browser and entering the URL “http://localhost/phpmyadmin”. From there, you can create databases, manage users, and perform various MySQL operations.
- PHP Configuration: XAMPP provides a default configuration for PHP, but you may need to make changes based on your project requirements. The PHP configuration file can be found at “/opt/lampp/etc/php.ini”. You can modify settings such as maximum file size, error reporting, or enable/disable extensions.
Step 10: Stopping XAMPP Services
To stop the XAMPP services when you’re finished with your development work, open a terminal window and run the following command:
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sudo /opt/lampp/lampp stop
This command will stop the Apache and MySQL services.
Note: Keep in mind that XAMPP is intended for local development purposes and is not recommended for production environments due to security considerations. When deploying your application to a production server, it is advised to use separate and secure installations of the required software components.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed XAMPP on your Linux machine. With XAMPP’s Apache, MySQL, PHP, and phpMyAdmin components up and running, you now have a robust local development environment for building and testing web applications. Begin exploring the features and capabilities of XAMPP to unleash your creativity in web development. Happy coding!
