Does anyone know how to set up a PHP-enabled home webserver?

[Taras]

I'm having a real hard time doing so and I really, really don't want to settle for 000webhost.com or pay for it otherwise; simply because I need it to be on my own machine.

I'm currently using Hiawatha, and intend to switch if I can't get PHP on it. Is it possible? 

Thanks in advance.

[tkbx]

I'm having a real hard time doing so and I really, really don't want to settle for 000webhost.com or pay for it otherwise; simply because I need it to be on my own machine.

I'm currently using Hiawatha, and intend to switch if I can't get PHP on it. Is it possible? 

Thanks in advance.

Look for a Linux distribution intended for LAMP, it should come with Apache, PHP, and MySQL all pre-configured.

[01BTC10]

If you use Windows then you can virtualize a Linux distribution like Ubuntu Server 12.04LTS with Virtualbox.
You could also use a Winlamp installer for Windows if you don't want to use Linux or Virtualbox: http://winlamp.sourceforge.net
If you need the webpage to be accessible outside your LAN then in your router you will need to forward port 80 to your computer: http://portforward.com/
If you only need access from your machine then typing 127.0.0.1 in your webrowser will do the trick.

My preferred solution would be a VPS or dedicated computer with Ubuntu Server 12.04LTS

[rolling]

Mongoose PHP Bundle takes about 5 minutes to get working if you just need something to test with.  Not sure if it would work to run a full website.

[Taras]

If you use Windows then you can virtualize a Linux distribution like Ubuntu Server 12.04LTS with Virtualbox.
You could also use a Winlamp installer for Windows if you don't want to use Linux or Virtualbox: http://winlamp.sourceforge.net
If you need the webpage to be accessible outside your LAN then in your router you will need to forward port 80 to your computer: http://portforward.com/
If you only need access from your machine then typing 127.0.0.1 in your webrowser will do the trick.

My preferred solution would be a VPS or dedicated computer with Ubuntu Server 12.04LTS

Winlamp is a gift from heaven. Thank youuu. 

[b!z]

Download WAMP and set it up. PLenty of tutorials on google.

[lophie]

Go for the latest ubuntu. Then go:
- sudo apt-get install tasksel
- sudo tasksel

then pick lamp server. Then all will be good. Have fun and remember to always use appropriate security measures.

[sampathneo]

install wamp(windows apache mysql php) or lamp(linux apache mysql php) to your desktop/laptop

then use dyndns or noip services if you do not have dedicated ip address