I've just learnt some PHP and need to know how I can preview a php without uploading it to my webserver? Am I missing something?
You need a webserver one way or the other to process a php page.. Most people just load Apache on their local machine or install php extensions for IIS.
So whats the simplest thing to do for a noob? The only php tags i'm using are includes and a random image script, no database .
There is a nice script that can do it all for you. Installs PHP and their is a MySQL Module addon if you really want it. http://www.sokkit.net/pragmacms/index.php It is only a 30 day trial, but I think the price is more then worth it ($25.00) If you want the easiest possible way to hook up PHP on your machine, their you go
there are many apache package for windows that come with php,Mysql,phpmyAdmin. I am using XAMPP from www.apachefriends.org it is very good. it come with filezilla,apache,php5and4 and Mercury mail. easy to install. once you install it you can access you site usinh http://localhost/ use should put your php files inside the folder called htdocs inside the installed folder. Remember to turn off Norton/Firewalls while installing.
OK, I've installed XAMPP from www.apachefriends.org and it seems to have gone ok. How all I want to do is view a .php file as a webpage?
Thanks all you for this nice biot of information as I have been uploading my php into web servers and testing it now I would test it in my own computer