From TestMaker-Wiki

Contents 1 Assist 1.1 XAMPP package 1.1.1 Background 1.1.2 XAMPP Installation 1.1.3 Configuring XAMPP 1.1.4 Create database

Assist

XAMPP package

Background

To work with the testMaker you need a (Apache) web server on which PHP is installed. In addition, you need a database server with a MySQL database to test testMaker locally (ie test out on your own computer). It is particularly recommended for non-programmers to use the XAMPP package, since it includes all the necessary components. In the following, each step in the installation is described in detail. Here are some brief definitions.

• Web server:

A web server is a computer on which web software is installed, or via which websites are operated. Through a web browser (Mozilla Firefox) the page or software can be accessed.

• PHP:

PHP is a scripting language displaying websites and web software in web browsers. (The current version of testMaker can't work with PHP 5.3.0 yet. An older version is required.

• Database Server:

Just as the web server, a database server is a computer on which data can be stored, which are necessary for the use of websites and web software, or entered by users using the site and software.

• XAMPP:

The XAMPP package makes it possible to run a Web and a database server on a local computer. These servers can only be accessed from the local processor via a web browser. Requests from other computers are not possible.

XAMPP Installation

• First, the XAMPP package (installer version for Windows operating systems) from the Apache Friends website http://www.apachefriends.org has to be downloaded. It should be noted that testMaker currently isn't able to work with PHP 5.3.0. It is therefore important to select an older XAMPP package. PHP 5.3 was added in XAMPP 1.7.2., so that particularly XAMPP 1.7.1 is considered to be selected. Download from SourceForge [Http://sourceforge.net/projects/xampp/files/]
• Next, the downloaded file is runned by double-clicking.
• The following installation instructions explain the next steps. The installation path is chosen arbitrarily (except for Windows Vista. The path here must not be in the Programs folder).
• The components Apache, MySQL and FileZilla don't have to be installed as services (later the services can be deactivated in the Control Panel, the user interface of XAMPP, by removing the checks marked before the relevant service (Svc))
• After starting the "XAMPP Control Panel" you have to activate "Apache" and "MySQL" by clicking on the "Start" button, which is next to the application. Subsequently a green filed "Running" should appear behind the launched application.
• Finally, you set up a new subfolder in the folder htdocs (subfolder of XAMPP) for example with the name testMaker (example for the path: C: \ ... \ xampp \ htdocs \ testMaker).

Configuring XAMPP

• In order to reach the configuration page of XAMPP, in the browser there must be entered (eg Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer) into the address bar the URL http://localhost.
• The first time the page is requested there will be asked for the language to be used.
• On the XAMPP configuration page that appears,you click "security check" on the left on the third menu item from the top.
• The mySQLSuperUser is already set to "root", which must not be changed. The password for this user can be changed on the link http://localhost/security/xamppsecurity.php, which can be found in the middle of the page, or you can use the link directly from this manual.
• Now you have to restart the XAMPP Control Panel to apply the changes. Therefore you have to stop the Apache Web server and the MySQL database server with the Stop button. This approach is important so that the servers take no damage. Thereafter, the user interface are terminated with the button Exit.

Create database

• First, make your way to the XAMPP configuration page (http://localhost).
• On the left side of the configuration page, under "tools", click on the link phpMyAdmin (alternatively you can enter http://localhost/phpMyAdmin directly in the browser).
• If you are asked for login, type "root" as username and the set password from section "Configuring XAMPP".
• On the page appearing, you can create a new database. Type the name of the database which will be created and click "Create". Now the creation is completed and you can continue with the following points.