I’ll show you how to use it in just a moment. So, in order to get started you can go to the Apache Friends website and download XAMPP. They are good as well, I simply found XAMPP the most comfortable to use. The “cross platform” part also means it will run on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.Įnvironment-specific solutions like WAMP and MAMP (which by now you should be able to decipher by yourself) are also available. It is a handy piece of software that includes all components you need to set up a local server for your WordPress installation. This application’s name is an acronym that stands for cross platform, Apache, MySQL, PHP, and Perl. For this tutorial, we will be using XAMPP. Luckily, we have several solutions for this at our disposal. That means we need to find a way to provide this same environment on our local machine. (Because who can write MySQL queries? Other people than me, that’s who.) Plus, most environments come with a MySQL user interface like phpMyAdmin. In particular, PHP (the programming language WordPress is mainly written in) and MySQL, which powers the database. Your server usually includes other software needed to run WordPress. exe file after downloading WordPress for the first time.) (It actually took me longer than I care to admit. Tools You Will NeedĪs you have probably discovered by now, WordPress is not a standalone application. Plus, without the need to rent additional online space for a testing environment, it can save you money, too!Ĭonvinced yet? Then let’s move on to the practical part. Since everything is on your own hard drive and not on a server, loading times tend to be much quicker, resulting in a more efficient workflow. Then, there is the matter of performance. Most importantly, it allows you to test site changes, themes, and plugins in a safe environment where it won’t have serious consequences for your live site if something goes wrong. (Internet connection on German trains is surprisingly awful.) However, even for more casual users, knowing how to install WordPress locally offers many advantages. I, for one, have been known to build websites while riding the train. With a local install, you can take your sites, themes, and plugins with you wherever you go. Yet, in that case, you are still dependent on having a working Internet connection. Sure, an online staging environment would also do the trick. For plugin and theme developers, it’s a must-have to test their work before releasing it into the wild. There are many good reasons to set up a copy of WordPress on your local hard drive. So, if you want to learn why and how to set up WordPress on your personal computer, just keep reading. It allows you to test any changes beforehand without the risk of breaking your precious site and is an essential skill for anyone serious about using the WordPress platform. The solution: Learn to install WordPress locally. However, it’s completely different when it comes to making alterations to an established site, especially when the changes are more significant, like theme changes. The thing is, working on a site directly online is fine as long as nobody has seen it yet. Have you ever made changes on your live site, praying to the Internet gods with sweaty hands that your tinkering wouldn’t break anything? Or did you get up really early in the morning so that, if something did break, not many visitors would be around to notice? However, today I want to talk about another tool that can be used as another one of those great leaps forward-local development. “You mean, I can directly change any element on my site in real time without any trial and error in my style sheet, reloading or anything? Woah!” A game changer.įor me, one of those game changers was the discovery of Firebug. However, every now and then we discover something big, something that that completely changes our workflow and opens up a world of new possibilities. Every day, we learn a little more, discover new plugins and tricks to get things done more efficiently, and push our capabilities in increments. For the most part, learning WordPress is a steady process.
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