Hello all, just joined and from the looks of it this is a huge community! Hope to be able to contribute one day.. so let's start.
What Download
I am looking at http://sourceforge.net/projects/xampp/files/XAMPP%20Windows/5.6.8/ and wondering which one of the files I need to get for a portable install of XAMPP?
Looking at the win FAQs https://www.apachefriends.org/faq_windows.html "How can I start XAMPP without setup?" I think I have understood that I can run it from inside a folder.
But now what download do I take?
1. 5.6.8/xampp-win32-5.6.8-0-VC11.7z
2. 5.6.8/xampp-win32-5.6.8-0-VC11.zip
3. 5.6.8/xampp-portable-win32-5.6.8-0-VC11-installer.exe
4. 5.6.8/xampp-portable-win32-5.6.8-0-VC11.zip
5. 5.6.8/xampp-portable-win32-5.6.8-0-VC11.7z
I assume 1. and 2. are the same, download and extract to a folder and run from inside that folder, done, right?
Then 3. is portable but an executable, so I assume it simply executes the extraction to a folder and then runs from there OR does it actually "install" something?
Then 4. and 5. are obviously portable, but then what is the difference of those to 1. and 2. please?
You see a bit where my confusion is coming from?
Edit: Oh and now I see on the homepage/index and /download site of XAMPP one can download 5.6.11 but on the sourceforge site the version go up to 5.6.8?
Why is that?
I guess in that case I should get the latest version 5.6.11 and not 5.6.8? So then where is the portable install for version 5.6.11?
Portable vs Installed
Before I start all this, is it at all advisable to run it portable instead of the installed version?
I am looking to do dev work on static sites but also need functionality for dynamic sites with dbs attached, like WordPress, etc.
What is the pro's recommend option with regards to that?
You see I am happy to also install this on the system instead of running it from a folder if the portable install tends to throw up more issues or is harder to configure.
Basically I am open to suggestions and tips from the pros with regards to a solid installation of XAMPP, trying to let it run as smoothly as possible.
Thank you for your help in making the right choice for a beginner/intermediate.