I'm not sure if it's even a valid argument (do they do the same thing?) but I was wondering which server hosting program is preferred. I noticed that with wamp it will actually list the files I'm using in the root host directory so I can physically click on the links as opposed to manually typing them in with Apache. Which is preferred for PHP use, i.e. using PHP with SQL databasing (mysql)?

Apache is in wamp already so they basically do the same thing.

If you just install Apache, you'll have to install MySQL and PHP separately. If you install WampServer, you won't have to mess around with all of the different installations. Alternatively, you can install xampp, which is basicall the same thing as WampServer. There are tons of other wamp servers, too. This might help

Personaly I use WampServer .. it is very easy to install

Originally Posted by werm82

If you just install Apache, you'll have to install MySQL and PHP separately. If you install WampServer, you won't have to mess around with all of the different installations. Alternatively, you can install xampp, which is basicall the same thing as WampServer. There are tons of other wamp servers, too. This might help

From what I've researched I noticed that there are several separate programs needed to install in order to begin working with php forms and a mysql database, but Wamp includes these seperate downloads into one easy install? If so, that's great, wamp seems like a much more viable option for ease of use, but I would still like to work with apache to become familiar with what all the different parts involved in the process... thanks for information

edit/update: is xampp for personal use only or can it be used by several computers to connect to the same host?

I thought apache is a part of wamp