I've only coded basic html and have a bunch of basic websites. Would to try to make a oscommerce site. They told me I need xampp first. I see the install instructions are easy. But I have no idea about the big picture. How does xampp run/what does it do on my mac? If I install photoshop on my mac it doesn't open my mac to the internet. By the warning I see in xampp, I guess it's an active program that accepts commands from outside my mac? I have no idea what xampp even does. I want to install oscommerce and make a simple shopping cart but don't know what could happen while I have xampp installed. If I shut down xampp can it be activated by incoming hackers?
It would be nice to see a DFD, the kind you'd show a manager, on what xampp does especially in relation to oscommerce.
thaNks!