Hey, I am new to PHP. I really want to begin to learn this stuff.

I just want some help on how to Install PHP on my computer. I have a Dell that is Running Windows XP home. I installed all the binaries and stuff from PHP.com, but now I am lost on what to do.

Can anyone please guide me on what I should do now?

Well you will need to find a webserver that PHP supports that runs on Windows other than IIS (the Window's Pro's server/vulnerability thingy). Note that PHP is experimental on Windows and you should never use Windows for any server but if you must, you could try using Apache and PHP. PHP.net has installation instructions specific to whichever webserver you use so just take a look there.

"Note that PHP is experimental on Windows"

I haven't read anything about the general release of PHP being experimental on windows. It's fully supported. Apache 2.0 was experimental on Windows until recently...I just checked the readme and it looks like it's now the "current" windows release.

"you should never use Windows for any server"
Let's not be silly. Windows is fine for many server setups, as long as you know how to administer it securely. Is it as secure as linux? No. But to make the generalization that you should never use a windows server is a little too broad for my taste. Where I work, we run very large, security intense sites on exclusively windows servers and we're very happy with the setup.

Anyhow, Apache and PHP, as suggested, is your best bet.

-SN

hi,
see this link.u will find lot of material on PHP,Apache,MYSQL.

http://in.geocities.com/samdarshipali/apache-php-mysql.htm

or you could always take the easy way and have a program install everything you need for you :)

it was actually on this forum that i discovered this product, its called Easy PHP. it installs Apache 1.3.27 - PHP 4.3.3 - MySQL 4.0.15 - PhpMyAdmin 2.5.3. the url to download it is http://www.easyphp.org/telechargements.php3
its really easy to install and setup. it installs apache, php and mysql all for you and to start the server all you have to do is run EasyPHP. I actually had my computer up for a few days on the internet using this method of installation :) hope this helps!