WAMP is an acronym that stands for Windows, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. It is a stack or set of software solutions which means that when you install WAMP, you are installing , and PHP on your operating system (Windows in WAMP’s case). Although you can install them separately, they are usually bundled, and for good reason, too.
What is good to know is that WAMP derives from (the L stands for Linux). The only difference between these two is that WAMP is used for Windows while LAMP is for Linux based operating systems.
Let’s quickly review what each letter represents:
- «W» means Windows; there is also LAMP (for Linux) and MAMP (for Mac).
- «A» stands for Apache. Apache is the server software that is responsible for serving web pages. When you request to view a page, Apache fulfills your request over HTTP and returns the site to you.
- «M» stands for MySQL. MySQL’s job is to be the database management system for your server. It stores all the relevant information, such as your site content, user profiles, etc.
- «P» stands for PHP. It is the programming language in which WordPress is written and acts as a glue for this entire stack of solutions. PHP runs alongside Apache and communicates with MySQL.
Instead of installing and testing WordPress on your , you can do it on your personal computer (localhost).
WAMP acts as a virtual server on your computer (WampServer). It allows you to test all the features of WordPress without any consequences, since it is located on your machine and is not connected to the web.
Firstly, this means you don’t need to wait for the files to be uploaded to your site, and secondly, it makes creating backups much easier.
A WampServer speeds up the workflow for both developers and theme designers. Plus, you also get the benefit of being able to play around with their site and have some fun.
However, for the website to work, you need to purchase some form of domain and hosting service. Check out our beginners article on for more information.
Or if you’re ready to jump online, take a look at what has in store for you. We can guarantee the best web hosting prices on the market for high-quality hosting solutions.
In essence, WampServer is used as a secure space to work on your website, without the need to host it online.
WampServer also has a control panel. Once you install the software package, all the services mentioned above (excluding the operating system) will be installed on your local machine.
Whether you use WampServer or software packages for the other operating systems, it’s a great way to save time. You won’t have to upload files to a site, and you can learn to develop in a safe and worry-free environment.
You can download WampServer.
Gustavo is passionate about creating websites. He focuses on the application of SEO strategies at for Spain and Latin America, as well as the creation of high-level content. When he is not applying new WordPress tricks you can find him playing the guitar, traveling or taking an online course.
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