WampServer

Testing a PHP web project is a tedious task. One needs to send the files to a remote server, configure the databases, and make sure that the application runs as it should.

Debugging can also be an irksome task as not all web hosting services give access to the error log.

WampServer is a local web server that aims to make the process of testing a PHP project easier. With it, you can run a PHP application locally, and manage local databases with the help of the included phpMyAdmin tool.

After the installation, WampServer is displayed in the icon tray. A left-click on it opens a menu that allows you to start and stop the web server. A right-click allows you to modify various options and tools, as well as changing the language of the interface.

Adding a project is straightforward. It only requires to create a folder in the www directory of WampServer. Testing it is also quite easy: once you access the administration interface (localhost), you are shown the different projects that you have. You can then click on the project that you want.

All in all, WampServer is a PHP web server that works well. With the tools that it includes and the plugins that it offers, it's a must-have for web developers that want to test their PHP projects locally.