What software do I need to practise PHP?

The answer

You need a code editor, the PHP engine, a web server and, for database work, a database such as MySQL or MariaDB. Local development packages bundle these together, so you can install one program on your own computer and open your pages through a local address. PHP also includes a built-in development server for quick tests. Practising locally costs nothing and lets you experiment safely before you publish a site.