How to Install XAMPP on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Install XAMPP on Ubuntu 24.04

XAMPP is an all-in-one software package that provides a comprehensive development environment for web developers. Comprising Apache, MariaDB, PHP, and Perl, XAMPP offers everything you need to set up a local server and database. This integration simplifies the setup process by providing a unified environment that replicates a production server, allowing developers to focus on building and testing their applications. Integrating XAMPP into your workflow can significantly enhance your productivity by providing a stable and powerful platform for web development. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS complements this setup with its robust security and long-term support, ensuring a reliable environment for your projects. This guide will walk you through the steps to install and configure XAMPP on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, helping you create an efficient development environment for your web applications. Let’s get started!

How to Install XAMPP on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Getting XAMPP up and running on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is easier than you might think. Follow this guide to set up your local development environment quickly and efficiently.

  1. Prerequisites
  2. Downloading XAMPP
  3. Installing XAMPP
  4. Starting XAMPP
  5. Verifying Installation
  6. Configuring XAMPP
  7. Troubleshooting Common Issues
  8. Uninstalling XAMPP
  9. Conclusion

Before we get XAMPP up and running, ensure your system is ready for a seamless installation.

Step 1: Prerequisites

Before you proceed with the installation, ensure your system fulfills these crucial prerequisites:

1. Administrative Privileges: To install software on Ubuntu, you need elevated permissions, which are typically granted through the sudo command. This allows you to execute commands with superuser access temporarily, ensuring system security while performing administrative tasks.

2. System Update: Make sure your system is up to date. Run the following commands:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

3. Internet Access: Necessary for downloading the XAMPP installer.

With these prerequisites in place, you can proceed with the XAMPP installation on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

Step 2: Downloading XAMPP

The first step in installing XAMPP is downloading the installer from the official website.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the XAMPP official download page.

Downloading XAMPP from browser

2. Select the version for Linux and download the installer.

List of versions of XAMPP

The file name should be something like

xampp-linux-x64-VERSION-0-installer.run.

xampp-linux-x64-VERSION-0-installer.run.

You can also download the installer using the terminal:

wget https://www.apachefriends.org/xampp-files/VERSION/xampp-linux-x64-VERSION-0-installer.run
Downloading XAMPP from installer

Step 3: Installing XAMPP

Once the download is complete, follow these steps to install XAMPP on your Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system.

Making the Installer Executable

First, you need to make it executable.

You can use the GUI method: right-click the installer file, select Properties, and check Executable as program.

Running XAMPP installation file

Alternatively, open your terminal and navigate to the directory where the installer is located.

chmod +x xampp-linux-x64-VERSION-0-installer.run
cd /Downloads

This command sets the necessary execution permissions, allowing the installer to run properly.

Running the Installer

Next, run the installer with administrative privileges:

sudo ./xampp-linux-x64-8.1.6-0-installer.run
sudo ./xampp-linux-x64-8.2.12-0-installer.run

This command will launch the graphical installer. Follow these steps:

1. Welcome Screen: Click Forward.

Weclome screen of XAMPP setup wizard

2. Select Components: By default, all components are selected. Click Forward.

Select XAMPP components

3. Installation Folder: The default installation directory is /opt/lampp. Click Forward.

Choose the XAMPP installation directory

4. Ready to Install: Click Forward to start the installation.

The installation process may take a few minutes. You can leave the installer by clicking Finish once the installation is finished.

XAMPP installation started

Step 4: Starting XAMPP

With XAMPP installed, the next step is to start it.

Managing XAMPP from GUI

XAMPP provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to manage its services.

Open the terminal and run the following command to start the XAMPP control panel:

sudo /opt/lampp/manager-linux-x64.run
sudo /opt/lampp/manager-linux-x64.run

In the control panel, you can start and stop individual services like Apache, MySQL (MariaDB), and others.

XAMPP control panel

Managing XAMPP from the Command Line

Alternatively, you can manage XAMPP services directly via the terminal:

sudo /opt/lampp/lampp start
sudo /opt/lampp/lampp start

In addition to the graphical control panel, you can manage XAMPP services directly from the command line. Here are some useful commands:

Stop XAMPP:

sudo /opt/lampp/lampp stop
sudo /opt/lampp/lampp stop

Restart XAMPP:

sudo /opt/lampp/lampp restart
sudo /opt/lampp/lampp restart

Check the Status:

sudo /opt/lampp/lampp status
sudo /opt/lampp/lampp status

Step 5: Verifying Installation

To verify that XAMPP is installed and running correctly, open your web browser and navigate to

http://localhost

XAMPP dashboard

To check if MariaDB is running, you can access the phpMyAdmin tool by navigating to

http://localhost/phpmyadmin

Access XAMPP on localhost

Step 6: Configuring XAMPP

Configuring XAMPP involves setting up your environment to match your development needs and ensuring it’s secure.

Securing XAMPP

By default, XAMPP is not secure. You need to set passwords for MySQL and the XAMPP administration panel. Run the following command:

sudo /opt/lampp/lampp security
sudo /opt/lampp/lampp security

Follow the instructions to strengthen security and create passwords.

Set XAMPP admin password

Possible Problem: Unable to set MySQL password.

Unable to set MySQL password

Solution: Ensure MySQL is running before setting the password.

sudo /opt/lampp/lampp startmysql
sudo /opt/lampp/lampp startmysql

Step 7: Troubleshooting Common Issues

While installing and using XAMPP, you may encounter some common issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

Port Conflicts: If Apache or MySQL fails to start, it may be due to port conflicts. Ensure that ports 80 (Apache) and 3306 (MySQL) are not being used by other services.

Permission Issues: If you encounter permission errors, ensure that you are running commands with sudo privileges.

Firewall Settings: If you cannot access XAMPP from your browser, check your firewall settings to ensure that the necessary ports are open.

Step 8: Uninstalling XAMPP

If you ever need to uninstall XAMPP, you can do so by running the uninstaller script included in the installation directory.

Stop all XAMPP services and run the uninstaller.

Run the uninstaller:

sudo /opt/lampp/uninstall
sudo /opt/lampp/uninstall

Following the command, you’ll receive a prompt asking for confirmation to proceed with the uninstallation. It will look something like this:

sudo /opt/lampp/uninstall

Remove the XAMPP directory:

sudo rm -rf /opt/lampp
sudo rm -rf /opt/lampp

Conclusion

By following this guide, you have successfully installed and configured XAMPP on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. This setup provides a robust local web development environment, allowing you to manage web server tasks, databases, and more efficiently. This comprehensive guide also provides the necessary steps and solutions for common issues you might encounter, ensuring a streamlined and secure workflow. Regular updates and proper configuration are key to maintaining a secure and effective development environment. Enjoy a smoother development journey with XAMPP on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, and take full advantage of its powerful features to enhance your web development capabilities.