If you are a web programmer of today's world, you should most likely have XAMPP installed on your computer operating system.

If you do not know anything about XAMPP and/or have never installed it, that's okay too; Here's a run-through.

XAMPP is an acronym that stands for Cross Appache MySQL PHP Perl.
It is a free download that can install the following programming tools directly onto your computer:
-Apache
-PHP
-MySQL
-Perl
-phpMyAdmin
-FileZilla

Apache
A web server software that is used to basically turn your computer into a private server.

PHP
The most popular server-side scripting language to date.
Usually you would need a server to test scripts run on PHP, but XAMPP installs a PHP parser onto your computer so that PHP files can be read and parsed on your browser.

MySQL
A database language used for storing information as text.
It can be manipulated through PHP MySQL functions.
XAMPP also gives you MySQL databases so that MySQL queries can be run.

Perl
The second most popular server-side scripting language, XAMPP allows your computer to parse and return Perl as plain HTML on your browser just as XAMPP does with PHP.

phpMyAdmin
The world's most popular MySQL database manipulator.
Create databases, assign users with privileges, and modify and manipulate databases with the PHP that is now installed with XAMPP.

FileZilla
One of the best FTP (File Transfer Protocol) softwares.
Create, edit, copy, and delete files.

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Now, the big question:
How do I install XAMPP?

Easy.
Now, since I am using Windows XP, I will tell you how to install XAMPP onto Windows.

Go to http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html on your computer.

Scroll down to where it says,
"XAMPP for Windows 1.7.7, 20.9.2011"

Click the "Installer" link.

A download should start.
It took my computer about 15 minutes to download the installer, so be patient.

Once downloaded, go to the location of where the installer is and double click on it.
The installation should begin with a gradient orange background, with a setup window in the center of your screen.

Click "Next".

For the installation location, it can be whatever you want, but I recommend for you to leave it as just "C:xampp".
Click "Next".

Check the boxes for each piece of the package that you want.

When done, click "Install".

The installation may take about another 15-20 minutes. Please wait.

Once done, click "Finish".

You will then be prompted to view the XAMPP Control Panel.
If you would like to, say yes; If not, say no.

Then go to "My Computer" from the start menu.
Click on "Local Disk(C"
Click on the folder labeled "xampp".
You can now create and edit files IN THAT FOLDER to use XAMPP.

To access the XAMPP directory via your web browser, type "http://localhost".
You will be prompted with language selection.
Select your language to continue and play around.

XAMPP is a very useful tool.
I do hope you use it.