Local development setup (Local, XAMPP) in Wordpress - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of using Local or XAMPP for WordPress development?

Local and XAMPP let you run WordPress on your own computer without needing the internet. This helps you build and test websites safely before making them live.

beginner

Which software components does XAMPP provide to run WordPress locally?

XAMPP includes Apache (web server), MySQL (database), PHP (programming language), and Perl. These work together to run WordPress on your computer.

beginner

How do you start a local WordPress site using Local by Flywheel?

Open Local, click 'Create a New Site', follow the steps to name your site and choose environment, then Local sets up WordPress automatically for you.

beginner

Why is it important to use a local development setup before publishing a WordPress site?

It lets you try changes and fix problems without affecting a live website. This keeps your real site safe and professional.

intermediate

What is the role of phpMyAdmin in XAMPP for WordPress development?

phpMyAdmin is a tool to manage your WordPress database easily through a web interface. You can create, edit, or delete database tables without coding.

Which of these is NOT included in XAMPP?

A Node.js

B MySQL

C Apache

D PHP

XAMPP includes Apache, MySQL, and PHP but does not include Node.js.

What does Local by Flywheel automate for WordPress developers?

A Writing WordPress themes

B Publishing websites online

C Installing WordPress and setting up server environment

D Managing domain names

Local automates installing WordPress and setting up the local server environment.

Why should you use a local development environment for WordPress?

A To edit live website content directly

B To test changes safely before going live

C To avoid installing software

D To host websites publicly

Local environments let you test changes safely without affecting the live site.

Which tool in XAMPP helps you manage your WordPress database visually?

A GitHub

B FileZilla

C WordPress Dashboard

D phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is the database management tool included in XAMPP.

What is the first step to start a WordPress site in XAMPP?

A Create a new database in phpMyAdmin

B Install Node.js

C Upload files to a live server

D Write PHP code manually

You first create a database in phpMyAdmin to store WordPress data.

Explain how Local or XAMPP helps you develop WordPress sites on your computer.

Think about how you can build a website without publishing it online.

Describe the steps to set up a WordPress site using XAMPP.

Focus on the order of actions from installing software to running WordPress.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using a local development setup like Local or XAMPP for WordPress?

easy

A. To automatically publish posts on social media

B. To host live websites accessible to everyone on the internet

C. To replace the need for a web browser

D. To build and test WordPress sites safely on your own computer

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand local development

   Local development means working on your computer, not on the internet.

2. Step 2: Identify the purpose of Local and XAMPP

   They let you build and test WordPress sites safely without affecting live sites.

3. Final Answer:

   To build and test WordPress sites safely on your own computer -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Local development = safe site building [OK]

Hint: Local means work on your PC, not live online [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing local setup with live hosting
• Thinking local setup publishes sites online
• Believing local setup replaces browsers

2. Which of the following is the correct URL to access your WordPress site running on XAMPP locally?

easy

A. http://www.your-site.com

B. ftp://localhost/your-site-folder

C. http://localhost/your-site-folder

D. https://your-site-folder.local

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall local server URL format

   Local servers like XAMPP use 'localhost' with the folder name to access sites.

2. Step 2: Match correct URL pattern

   http://localhost/your-site-folder uses 'http://localhost/your-site-folder', which is correct for local access.

3. Final Answer:

   http://localhost/your-site-folder -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Local URL = http://localhost/folder [OK]

Hint: Local sites use http://localhost plus folder name [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using live website URLs instead of localhost
• Using ftp:// instead of http://
• Adding .local domain incorrectly

3. You installed XAMPP and placed your WordPress files in the folder htdocs/mywp. What happens when you visit http://localhost/mywp in your browser?

medium

A. You see the WordPress installation page to set up your site

B. You get a 404 error page because the folder is wrong

C. The browser downloads the WordPress files instead of showing them

D. You see a blank page with no content

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand XAMPP folder usage

   XAMPP serves files from the 'htdocs' folder, so 'mywp' is accessible at localhost/mywp.

2. Step 2: Recognize WordPress behavior on first visit

   Visiting the folder URL shows the WordPress installation page if setup is not done yet.

3. Final Answer:

   You see the WordPress installation page to set up your site -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Local WordPress folder URL shows install page [OK]

Hint: Visit localhost/folder to start WordPress install [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting live site without installation
• Confusing 404 error with wrong folder
• Thinking files download instead of display

4. You installed Local by Flywheel but when you try to access your site, the browser shows "Site can't be reached". What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Local server is not running or stopped

B. You typed the wrong live website URL

C. Your internet connection is down

D. WordPress files are missing from the folder

Solution

1. Step 1: Check Local server status

   If Local server is stopped, the site URL won't load and shows connection errors.

2. Step 2: Rule out other causes

   Local sites don't need internet; wrong live URL or missing files cause different errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Local server is not running or stopped -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Local server must run to access site [OK]

Hint: Ensure Local server is running before opening site [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming internet is needed for local sites
• Confusing live URLs with local URLs
• Ignoring server status in Local app

5. You want to move a WordPress site from Local to XAMPP on your computer. Which steps should you follow to make the site work correctly on XAMPP?

hard

A. Copy only WordPress files to XAMPP's htdocs and open the site URL

B. Export the database from Local, copy WordPress files to XAMPP's htdocs, import database in phpMyAdmin, update site URL in database

C. Install WordPress fresh on XAMPP and copy themes from Local

D. Change the Local site URL to XAMPP URL and restart Local

Solution

1. Step 1: Export database and copy files

   Export Local's database and copy all WordPress files to XAMPP's htdocs folder.

2. Step 2: Import database and update URLs

   Use phpMyAdmin to import the database, then update site URL in database to match XAMPP URL.

3. Final Answer:

   Export the database from Local, copy WordPress files to XAMPP's htdocs, import database in phpMyAdmin, update site URL in database -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Database + files + URL update = successful move [OK]

Hint: Move files + export/import DB + update URLs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Copying files without database export/import
• Not updating site URL in database
• Trying to change Local URL instead of moving site