How to setup Joomla using XAMPP? Read the article to learn more. As part of our MySQL Support, we assist our customers with several queries.

Overview

1. How to Setup Joomla using XAMPP?
2. More on Joomla & XAMPP
3. Steps to Set up Joomla using XAMPP
4. Benefits of the Setup
5. Main Considerations
6. Conclusion

How to Setup Joomla using XAMPP?

More on Joomla & XAMPP

With Joomla, users don’t need to be highly skilled in coding to design and administer websites. Joomla is a free and open-source content management system (CMS). It is based on PHP and uses a MySQL database. It has an easy-to-use interface, many extensions, and a sizable support community. Joomla is a popular option for small to medium-sized enterprises and non-profit organizations since it can be used for a wide range of website kinds, including blogs and intricate e-commerce platforms.

In contrast, Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl are all included in the free and open-source web server solution stack package known as XAMPP. Without requiring a live internet connection, users can design and test dynamic websites and web apps by setting up a local server environment on their workstations.

Steps to Set up Joomla using XAMPP

Setting up Joomla with XAMPP allows us to create a local environment for building and testing the website. Here’s a simplified method:

Step 1: Install XAMPP

1. Download XAMPP: Visit the XAMPP website and download the installer for the OS.

2. Run the Installer: Follow the prompts to install XAMPP. If we have User Account Control (UAC) enabled on Windows, we might need to allow the installation to proceed.

3. Complete Installation: Install XAMPP in the recommended directory (C:\xampp on Windows).

Step 2: Start Apache and MySQL

1. Open XAMPP Control Panel: Find it in the installation directory or Start Menu, and run xampp-control.exe.

2. Start Apache and MySQL: Click “Start” next to Apache and MySQL in the control panel. Ensure both services are running (indicated by a green background).

3. Allow Firewall Permissions: If prompted, allow Apache and MySQL through the firewall.

Step 3: Download and Extract Joomla

1. Download Joomla: Go to the Joomla website and download the latest version.

2. Extract and Copy Files: Unzip Joomla and copy its folder to the htdocs directory in the XAMPP installation (C:\xampp\htdocs).

Step 4: Create a Database for Joomla

1. Access phpMyAdmin: Open a browser and go to http://localhost/phpmyadmin.

2. Create Database: Click “Databases”, enter a name (e.g., joomla_db), and click “Create”.

Step 5: Install Joomla

1. Begin Installation: Go to http://localhost/joomla-site in the browser.

2. Follow Installation Steps:

Choose language, site name, and setup admin login.

Configure database: Use localhost for Host Name, root for Username, and leave Password blank. Use the database name (e.g., joomla_db).

3. Finish Installation: Complete the setup and delete the installation directory for security.

Step 6: Access the Joomla Site

Visit http://localhost/joomla-site to see the Joomla site, and http://localhost/joomla-site/administrator to access the admin dashboard.

Benefits of the Setup

1. Local Development: Developers can easily test and develop Joomla sites without disrupting a live website by setting up a local server environment with XAMPP.

2. Cost-effective: Since everything runs locally on the computer, using XAMPP during the development stage eliminates the need for a commercial hosting provider.

3. Easy to Use: XAMPP makes Joomla setup simpler by offering a simple installation process that combines all required components (PHP, MySQL, and Apache).

4. Testing and Experimentation: Without running the danger of crashing a live website, developers are free to play around with Joomla extensions, templates, and customizations.

5. Learning Environment: Without the stress of a live environment, XAMPP provides novices with a secure environment in which to learn Joomla and web development ideas.

Main Considerations

When using, keep in mind a few possible restrictions and limitations:

1. XAMPP is meant for development purposes only; production websites should not use it. XAMPP is not a good choice for hosting a live, publicly accessible Joomla website, even though it functions well for local testing and development.

2. It is advisable to fix any security flaws in XAMPP before use it for development purposes. It’s critical to maintain XAMPP updated and set up correctly.

3. Software that uses port 80, such as Skype, may cause issues. Disabling the Skype option to utilize ports 80 and 443 is necessary to fix this.

4. File ownership and permissions can occasionally lead to problems with XAMPP. XAMPP’s ownership settings may become problematic if we edit files or folders on the localhost using the CHOWN command or Nautilus.

5. For the MySQL database, XAMPP utilizes the default accounts and passwords. Although these wouldn’t be a problem on a personal development computer, they must to be adjusted for any website that plans to launch.

6. On certain XAMPP setups, the installation of Joomla may fail to update the configuration.php file or remove the installation directory. Usually, this can be fixed by handily deleting the installation folder and properly granting rights to configuration.php.

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Conclusion