php file trying to download

[Kelvin]

I am new to PHP and am trying to set up Apache and PHP allong with MySQL on my laptop. Have set up Apache and the feather Icon appears in my tray and it tells me it is running. Have reconfigured my htdocs to be C:/htdocs rather than the long winded default. Have run the standard PHP test and the intro page renders. However when I save a file with a .php extention and try to open it in browser, rather than rendering the download sheild appears. Have checked and rechecked my Apache config and am stumped. As I say I am a novice at this so the answer is likekly to be obvious, but alas not to me.

Any assistance geatfully received.

Cheers Kelvin

[Altrea]

How do you try to open the php file in your browser?
Have you installed the XAMPP package or all components on your own?

[Kelvin]

Hi Altrea. I installed them seperately. I was working from a book and that was how they told me to do it. It occured to me that there mast be an integrated solution as I was going through the config process. Do you think I should download XAMPP instead. I don't want to have to start again as the download time was so long and I am a bit stubborn anyway and don't like to admit defeat.

Cheers Kelvin.

[Altrea]

Do you think I should download XAMPP instead.

Well, thats up to you. XAMPP is a package of the most common components you need to develop and test your scripts at home (or to start learning scripting php too of cause). This package is preconfigured and runs nearly out of the box.
Depends a bit on your operating system, but mainly installing is like: download => unzip => start (just follow the short installation guide).

But maybe that don't solve your problem. So i ask again:
How do you try to open the php file in your browser?
What does your browser address bar tell you?

[Kelvin]

I opened the php file by clicking on it in windows explorer

[Altrea]

Okay, and here is the problem.
php must be requested with a webserver and parsed through a php parser, because it's a serverside programming language.

Your php-files must be saved in your Servers DocumentRoot or a subfolder of it. Which your DocumentRoot folder is is configured in your Webserver configuration file.
After that open your Browser and request the php file by URL.

for example: If your file is saved directly in your DocumentRoot path, the URL is http://localhost/file.php
If your file is into some subfolder of that its http://localhost/path/to/file.php

[Kelvin]

Thanks for that. Working now. Sorry for not responding sooner but have been of Sick.

Cheers