WampServer 2.3 Beta 1 / 2.2e

The holy trinity that keeps a website running is made of Apache, MySQL and PHP. Installing each of them on the system can take quite a while and the configuration process can be exhausting, especially if you are a beginner. To avoid this hassle, you can opt for software such as WampServer that bundles all of those into a single installer, easing your effort considerably.

Newest versions of WampServer also include Xdebug, XDC, SQLBuddy, PhpMyAdmin and webGrind for extensive website administration and development. The installation process doesn't take long and requires you to click a bunch of 'Next' buttons; in short, you will be able to start the server in less than two minutes.

There is no interface to this application, just a system tray icon from where you can manage all of its components. Clicking on it will reveal a menu that offers you access to a variety of modules that will allow you to entirely manage your website like a professional. One of the items from the system tray menu provides access to the localhost, a section where you will be able to view which components are running, their version and your current projects.

The phpMyAdmin can be used for the creation and administration of MySQL databases and also, for executing SQL statements. Another item from the system tray enables you to access the “www directory”, a local folder where your need to place your projects in order to test their functionality.

The three major modules, namely Apache, MySQL and PHP, each have their designated menu in the system tray and only from here you can manually start or stop a service or check the logs for potential errors. You can choose which Apache modules should be started, you can select what PHP extension should be loaded and you will be able to start the MySQL console, to name a few operations that can be done from the system tray. It also features the possibility to stop or start all the services at once or to put the server offline.

WampServer provides users with the basic server capabilities that are required in testing and maintaining a website. It comes with a satisfactory bundle of services that take very little time to deploy, unlike the situation where you have to install them separately.