Downloading PHP environment help

[system]

I was told that I needed to download Apachi, PHP and MySQL to modify some existing PHP code. The problem is that no one told me how to do so and this is totally new to me. I finally completed the download of Apachi. However, I am lost with the download for PHP. I keep getting stuck at the point of extracting this file “php-5.3.11.tar” Winzip opens and says something about me using a trial version to extract the file, I accept it, then I get a message saying that “tar” is an unknown file type and an option to “fix and open the file” by downloading another program… The end result is that I am getting bogus programs added and none of them are doing what I need and that is to simply download this file to my PC.

HELP!!!

[richei]

To edit the code, you don’t need anything but notepad. To actually test the code out, yes - you need either a local or some webhost that supports php. If you want a local server, then i’d suggest either xamp or wamp. They both come preconfigured with apache, mysql, myphpadmin (mysql web gui) and a few other tidbits.