Which is the NORMAL version of XAMPP for macOS 10.14

[vaucher]

I have been using an old version of XAMPP since 2015 to create and continuously improve a web site where artists can upload examples of their art. Don't use mySQL, just PHP, javascript and AJAX. I develop on a 2014 iMac OS X 10.11 and upload to various servers.

This month I've had to switch to a new iMac with macOS Mojave 10.14. Migrated everything successfully but had problems with XAMPP. I did the usual thing of downloading and installing latest XAMPP for Mac... 7.3.5 and found that now all the site pages lived on a virtual machine which complicated testing to no end...mainly permissions.

Looking at the community board, the usual answer from moderator "Altrea" was don't use the VM just install the Normal XAMPP. I would love to but nowhere can I find what is the latest NON-VM version for macOS which works on Mojave.

[Altrea]

Hi,

On the Download Page (https://www.apachefriends.org/download.html) the Mac OSX Versions with the lower file size (currently 148 Mb) are the normal installer versions.
You can proof that by hovering over the Download (64 bit) Button. If the filesize dows not contain the word vm you should be fine.

best wishes
Altrea

[Nobbie]

I would love to but nowhere can I find what is the latest NON-VM version for macOS which works on Mojave.

For an unknown reason Bitnami does not sign the VM Version anymore. A couple of months ago they clearly stated the VM version as "XAMPP-VM" and also applied a FAQ about Xampp-VM (the FAQ is stll there, but the link has moved). Bitnami also declares that OSX Modules (Bitnami installers for WordPress, Joomla etc.) arent supported anymore natively in OSX. Therefore they recommend to use Xampp-VM and use the installable modules from Linux.

I do NOT agree to that. Instead download and install WordPress, Joomla etc. natively from their sites and run thru the normal installation process as you have to do on every webserver.

Last not least its worth thinking about switching to Linux at all, Linux is free (no costs for you), Apache etc. is developed on Linux and are very stable, finally it is a very nice and powerfull OS without sniffing your private data as Apple, Microsoft and Google (ChromeOS) are doing.

[vaucher]

Thanks, guys ! I think I can take it from here; I’m a retired CS prof and taught Unix systems programming for 30 years but have used Macs at home since the 1980s. Learned about PHP and XAMPP from the Nixon book. What I appreciated about XAMPP was the simple “download & click” installation which allows me to concentrate on the WEB site with minimal time spent on the supporting layers.
Final question: what distinguishes the 3 versions of XAMPP, 7.1..., 7.2.... and 7.3.....
Thanks again. J.

[Altrea]

The included PHP version.
All three are currently maintained PHP branches.

[Nobbie]

Thanks, guys ! I think I can take it from here; I’m a retired CS prof and taught Unix systems programming for 30 year

One more reason to switch to Linux.

[vaucher]

I'm now back to normal. Using "small" 7.3.5 and setting User/Group to my own values. Thanks.

Nobbie: Why "switch" when the system coding is interchangeable ? And, my experience says that the BEST system is whichever you and your friends are familiar with.

[Nopixies]

Honestly WISH BitNami would get their act together. The latest Mac version of XAMPP works great...
that said WHY is it so hard to make a one click installer for WordPress.
I downloaded from WordPress and installed by hand... certainly would have preferred to use a GUI but I guess they are trying to be ahead of the game.
Here we go again sadly Macs are being sidelined due to stepping stones...

[Nobbie]

You clearly overlooked the fact, that WordPress is made for running on remote webservers. That webserver very rarely are running macOS, you have to use FTP for upload and there is no GUI at all. What would be the idea of a GUI running on macOS if you need to install WordPress on a remote linux with Apache and PHP as API?