How to bundle a php application with 1 click run/install

Question

I create php application for small businesses. Some of the clients may prefer running the app on a local server, therefore my requirement is to create/bundle an app with apache/mysql/php with all the necessary confirguration and one click executable (be it a batch file) such that when the user opens it, it runs the apache server on some port say localhost:1234 and mysql as well.

and opens up the application in the default web browser.

To be more exact, Im looking for something like http://www.simpleinvoices.org/go, check their Simple Invoices for Windows which come budled with apache/php/mysql.

P.S - Im not sure if this question should be at SO or Superuser.

Answer 1

If you actually want to install a web server and a SQL server then Lars' solution would be a way to go. On windows you can generate a .msi installer containing the dependencies you need (like WAMP). An installer executable would be a cleaner solution than a batch file in my opinion, as it will also provide the user with an option to uninstall your software if they wish.

If you want to distribute your application in a standalone version, then you might also want to check a solution like NuSphere's PHPDock - http://www.nusphere.com/products/phpdock.htm

Answer 2

I had the same challenge and came across Uniform Server:

http://www.uniformserver.com/

You download it, add your application to it, start it and everything runs. Lovely.