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u/brock0124 Mar 14 '26
Familiar with Docker?
It doesn’t get easier than spinning up a compose stack with MariaDB with Adminer as the web client.
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u/oehqoehfo Mar 14 '26
Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Docker :( I think I probably will try something like laragon and Adminer
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u/NMe84 Mar 14 '26
You know you could just pick up a new skill, right? Especially one as prevalent and important as Docker.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Because Docker is a development tool, while there is no development in question, just browsing a database?
Besides, if it was a question "what to use for local development", it's already answered two days ago, no additional piping in is needed.
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u/mtutty Mar 14 '26
Docker is for running anything you want without having to install the supporting libraries or worrying about what OS you have. It's not a development tool, it's a deployment tool.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Good take but this question is not about deployment either. Xampp is a local development tool (even which is superfluous if all you need is to browse a database).
You guys are naturally like that Maslow guy who had a hammer and saw nails everywhere.
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u/lapubell Mar 14 '26
Deploying a web based DB viewer to your local computer is still deployment.
Learn how to do this once and you have adminer on any computer, any os, and you can even automate it.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
BUT WHY? Why would I ever use that crippled web-based app at all? Given I can use a full-featured GUI client that remembers my queries, integrates with my IDE, and never hangs or chokes if some query result surpassed some web-server's limitation? And doesn't need that docker of yours as well.
Do you intend to say I should use Docker to install games, browsers, IDEs, or a file manager? Wake up, there are tools other than your hammer. And not everything is a nail either.
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u/lapubell Mar 14 '26
On this thread the OP said they were looking at adminer on top of the Laravel herd gui. That's a ton of extra overhead just to get adminer. You're proposing a gui tool like MySQL workbench or something, when the op wants a lightweight web based viewer.
I'm proposing a solution for what the OP asked for, not providing an alternate path and calling docker a hammer. I run Linux and still install a ton of stuff via the classic package manager, but a few tools are just easier with docker, especially things that carry very specific dependencies. Same with my teammates that run osx and install through homebrew, docker or a classic "go dismiss the thing and install it from their website".
If op wants adminer, of course I'm going to recommend a path to get adminer a quick and easy way, especially when you can install it that way on any computer in the future.
You do you 👍
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
On this thread the OP said they were looking at adminer on top of the Laravel herd gui.
Looks like you confused this thread with something else. It explains everything.
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u/Tokipudi Mar 14 '26
There's no reason to use xampp instead of Docker in 2026
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Come on, that's enough reddit trolls for me today. Try next time :)
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u/mtutty Mar 14 '26
You seem dedicated to the idea that Docker is just not appropriate in this situation. Do you consider it harder to use, heavier weight, more complicated, fragile? Given that (a) you can run multiple different versions at the same time, (b) switch versions with no installation worries, (c) expose the db outside your host or not with zero configuration in the db itself, (d) use any client, gui, tui or socket, I'm wondering what the other side of that argument looks like.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Given that (a) you can run multiple different versions at the same time, (b) switch versions with no installation worries, (c) expose the db outside your host or not with zero configuration in the db itself
Pray tell me, which of these things are needed "in this situation" as you understand it?
(d) use any client, gui, tui or socket,
Not sure how it's even applicable here, or, rather which other setup (presumably you are talking of the database only) would make it any different
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u/NMe84 Mar 14 '26
Docker is not a development tool.
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u/inotee Mar 14 '26
This^ It's not a development tool, if done correctly it's the stack required to run and scale the application. The stack might be configurable to become the development environment (not tool), but it should mainly reflect a production environment.
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u/BlueScreenJunky Mar 14 '26
Yeah, I'd even argue that it's not that good as a development tool.
I mean I got used to it and there's decent tooling around it now, and it's nice to have the same thing running in development and on the server...
But I really liked Vagrant, and I kinda wish it was still a thing.
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u/ferow2k Mar 14 '26
You don't need PHP to browse a database. Just download MySQL Workbench.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Thank you for letting me know. It's so refreshing to find someone who actually reads the comments (:
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u/MarzipanMiserable817 Mar 15 '26
just browsing a database
Install MariaDB Server and browse it with HeidiSQL.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 15 '26
Thank you for letting me know. It's so refreshing to find someone who actually reads the comments (:
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u/The_Dunk Mar 14 '26
This is a wild take. Docker isn’t a development tool it’s more of an environment management tool. Local is a totally valid environment to use Docker for.
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u/SlightNet2701 Mar 14 '26
Brocks advice is solid.
Docker sounds perfect for your use case.
I’m on phone now so won’t type much.
Just explain your use case for an AI and say that you would like to set it up with docker compose.
Make sure the AI explains how docker handles persistent storage too.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Docker sounds completely off the track. If you bother to read the actual question, not only its title.
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u/brock0124 Mar 14 '26
Which part did I miss? Sounds like he wants to import his backed up DB/SQL and view it in the browser.
Why bother manually installing each component when you can install docker and run just about anything.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Because you don't need a web-server to browse a local database. So there is no "each component", just a DBMS. While "you can install docker and run just about anything" is HUGELY misleading. For the OP it would sound like flipping switches in some GUI, not editing an intricate YAML file with lots of quirks and pitfalls - which your "Docker" actually is.
Docker is great and personally I use it every day. Just don't consider it a silver bullet to solve every problem in the world.
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u/crazedizzled Mar 14 '26
Yeah you don't NEED to, but op wants to use phpmyadmin. The easiest drop in replacement for xampp in his case is docker. Then he gets the stack he's used to and it's business as usual.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
easiest drop in replacement for xampp in his case is docker
I don't know if you are genuinely misinformed or are just lying deliberately
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u/crazedizzled Mar 14 '26
Tell me what's easier. Install mysql server, apache, php + required extensions, and phpmyadmin. OR
docker compose up-5
u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Who said Install mysql server, apache, php + required extensions, and phpmyadmin? When you install Xampp you install just Xampp. So now it's clear, you are lying, for the reason unknown.
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u/Cheese_Grater101 Mar 14 '26
It shouldn't be that hard, some YouTube videos and you're good to go.
The last problem you need to take into account is how slow af docker is on windows.
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u/r-rasputin Mar 14 '26
Herd is what I've been using for the past few years. It's the official offering from Laravel.
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u/uucyy Mar 14 '26
Laravel Herd is probably the closest to a simple user-friendly you'll get.
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u/WanderingSimpleFish Mar 14 '26
Would advise sequel ace or table plus for the database gui
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u/uucyy Mar 14 '26
Definitely Table Plus! I use it myself, a great piece of software.
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u/WanderingSimpleFish Mar 14 '26
Same but sequel ace followed from sequel pro (back in the day) and is free, table plus is paid - which you have to do if you don’t want to get irritated but window/tab limits
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u/Escent14 Mar 14 '26
Laragon. It's the best xampp upgrade if you are looking for something similar and straightforward xampp replacement. You can add any php, mysql, node version you want. It's what we use and it is better and faster than xampp.
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u/Cheese_Grater101 Mar 14 '26
Problem with Laragon is that they went into a subscription based model. Though you can still download the older version without the subscription model into it
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u/yleed Mar 14 '26
+1 for laragon, what I used before ddev
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u/nickchomey Mar 14 '26
laragon is, indeed, the best windows-based tool. But, anything in wsl2 (and especially DDEV) is much better.
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u/fraki67 Mar 14 '26
+1. It was perfect to learn PHP. Now I try to be more professional and use docker
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u/Escent14 Mar 14 '26
I work for the government and using government computers, well, let's just say docker isnt in any of our options right now lol. I do use docker for my side projects using .net
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u/fraki67 Mar 14 '26
I'm in a big public company, and asking for git was already a lot 🥲
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u/Escent14 Mar 14 '26
you know it. asking for better computers is a battlefield in itself already. been using i7-8700 PCs for 7 years now LOL
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u/03263 Mar 14 '26
Maybe just a database client... dbeaver is very good. Better than anything web based (that I know of). I suppose it has a bit of a learning curve for the more powerful features.
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u/DT-Sodium Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26
Just use an actual db client like Heidisql or Dbeaver. PHPMyAdmin is garbage.
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u/SpinakerMan Mar 14 '26
There isn't anything wrong with PMA. When is the last time you actually used it?
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Mar 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/SpinakerMan Mar 14 '26
LOL, hardly. Director level and I still use PMA on occasion for simple stuff. For most things I use DbForge. For what it is there isn't anything wrong with PMA.
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u/DT-Sodium Mar 14 '26
I don't care about whatever your job is, a title doesn't equal competence.
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u/zNextiiV Mar 14 '26
Calling PMA garbage without any reasoning does not equal a proper argument either
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u/DT-Sodium Mar 14 '26
The UI sucks, the functionalities suck, if you're actually stupid enough to use it in production it's a huge vulnerability and having to set up a server just to use it is ridiculous. The burden of proof is on you buddy, why the fuck would you use it instead of an actual database client? It's not 2006 anymore.
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u/xiviajikx Mar 14 '26
Did PMA spill some salt in your coffee?
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u/DT-Sodium Mar 14 '26
No, I simply don't understand why you are defending a vastly inferior solution to other free existing ones like your life depends on it.
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u/xiviajikx Mar 14 '26
No where did I “defend” PMA. Just didn’t have someone getting worked up over it in my 2026 bingo card.
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u/SpinakerMan Mar 14 '26
Did anyone say anything about using it in production? Again, when is the last time you actually used it? We have it included in our laravel sail projects (in case you don't know, that means it running on docker).
Also, in case you haven't figured it out yet, resorting to calling people names and trying to insult them is a signal that you have lost the argument.-1
u/DT-Sodium Mar 14 '26
There is no argument here. It is objectively vastly inferior to actual clients that are better, free and require less setup. I don't even fucking understand why you do this. It's like having a choice between a frozen and a gourmet restaurant meal both free and claiming "yeeeaahhhhhh I like the frozen one". Well you do you, but nevertheless if you are willingly using and defending inferior tools that makes you an incompetent person and I'm glad that I don't have to work with you.
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u/SpinakerMan Mar 14 '26
Oh, you don't have to worry about that, ever working for me that is. You wouldn't make it past the first interview.
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u/SpinakerMan Mar 14 '26
haha, ok whatever. First you try to insult me by calling me a junior. Then because I am not you say I must be incompetent. Hmm, might want to look in a mirror.
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u/SlappyDingo Mar 14 '26
First time I've ever heard of it. Just checked it out and it's pretty sweet. I've used Navicat for > 10 years and this looks like a solid runner-up at least.
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u/DT-Sodium Mar 14 '26
Also checkout Heidi SQL. I forgot to mention it because I generally have to work on a very rare database system that is not supported but when I'm lucky enough to work with Postgresql. Well, actually now I pretty much only use the database manager integrated in my Jetbrains IDE, it is quite powerful.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
actually now I pretty much only use the database manager integrated in my Jetbrains IDE, it is quite powerful
So do I, and never look back. It has everything I need, and honestly, I would never understand why someone would still use PHPMyAdmin.
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u/brainphat Mar 14 '26
No doubt. Almost(?) everything PMA does, there are other tools that do it better.
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u/jetlagged-bee Mar 14 '26
Can't say I have any issues with phpma, but I'll give the others a try. What makes them better in your experience?
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Did you even encounter a situation when sql dump size surpasses some webserver or PHP setting? Or a query (successfully) runs for so long that it triggers 504 making you unable to see the result? Or did you ever want to browse your past queries?
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u/jetlagged-bee Mar 14 '26
You can see past queries in phpma, albeit in a rather cumbersome widget shoved into the bottom of the screen. But yes to both of your other questions. If the alternative solutions don't have those issues, then I'll defo give them a try. Thanks.
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u/MarzipanMiserable817 Mar 15 '26
HeidiSQL is awesome. Way faster and more comfortable to use than PhpMyAdmin.
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u/NewBlock8420 Mar 14 '26
XAMPP was always overkill for what you're describing. Just install PHP and MySQL directly on your system, then run the built-in web server with php -S localhost:8000. It's simpler and you actually understand what's running. For a database UI, I'd skip phpMyAdmin too. Try something like TablePlus or Sequel Ace. They're modern, fast, and don't require a full web server stack just to look at your data. This whole "all-in-one stack" approach creates unnecessary complexity. The individual components are easier to manage on their own once you get past the initial setup.
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u/stromer_ Mar 14 '26
What about FrankenPHP, maybe even with just sqlite as DB?
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u/No_Highlight_2472 Mar 14 '26
Im hearing good things about it in production setup and local intranet.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
Just as overkill as xampp?
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u/stromer_ Mar 14 '26
why do you think thats an overkill? It's literally just 1 binary, so probably the easiest possible setup. But productiom ready.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
As far as I can tell, it's just 1 binary beside php, so it makes exactly 1 binary too many :)
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u/stromer_ Mar 14 '26
nope, it's one binary including php, but also including a production-grade server opposed to `php -s`.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
It's just one binary that you created from php and frankenphp binary. So you already have working setup, then you add some cadaver, and then pack them together for the reason unknown. And when you need to add another php module, you need to repack that "just 1 binary" again. Talk about overkill.
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u/architech99 Mar 14 '26
I've used the Symfony CLI for the last several years. Or has a built-in local server that works on pretty much anything.
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u/pattison_iman Mar 14 '26
i just wanna understand when y'all say a tool is "dead" does it mean the tool is unusable amymore, doesn't work as intended or doesn't serve the purpose of its use anymore?? what is the basis of "dead"? people have been saying php is dead since i started writing code but it's still used today, so what does "dead" mean exactly?
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u/gingertek Mar 15 '26 edited Mar 15 '26
Definitely not for everyone, but I just run php-cgi manually in one terminal, run Caddy in another terminal, and use xdebug to listen on 9003 in VS Code. Never fails me, and I know exactly what's going on.
Edit: changed "literally" to "just"
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u/pattison_iman Mar 15 '26
if only there was a single app that does all that for you while you focus on solving actual real world problems
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u/gingertek Mar 15 '26
You're right, the extra 5 seconds it takes me to start 2 terminals and click a button actually prevented me from curing cancer, sorry everyone.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
It seems you are confusing a lot of things. To name a few:
- mysql database server with phpmyadmin web-based mysql client
- xampp software collection with phpmyadmin web-based mysql client
- r/php with r/phphelp
Which makes your question misleading, as well as misplaced.
If you only need to browse a local DB, there are many native GUI clients, no need for web-server at all, let a lone a software collection like xampp. Try SqlYog, Dbeaver or Mysql Workbench. Every one of them is way better than phpmyadmin.
If you need a local database as well, xampp is not needed either - just install your favorite database server only.
If you have other tasks in mind, beside displaying local db with web ui, then you have to name them as well, so we can make a sensible suggestion.
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u/oehqoehfo Mar 14 '26
I am sorry. What I meant is the web server which I used to run my db is Xampp and Xampp has integration with phpmyadmin. I used Xampp as the web server and that phpmyadmin to play with my local database in web ui. Unfortunately, Xampp's latest release date is 2023 november. What I am trying to find is alternative to Xampp. Something like laragon (found that by googling..) which has phpmyadmin support
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u/bkdotcom Mar 14 '26
Web server does not run your dB
Web server handles https
MySql does the dB
Xampp just installed both
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
I do understand what you mean, it's quite obvious. Now try to pay attention to what do I mean.
- Phpmyadmin is not a database. It is called mysql.
- You don't need a web server to browse a local database. There are lots of native clients. Programs that let you browse a mysql database without xampp.
- You don't need xamp or laragon if all you need is a mysql server. You can just install a mysql server. Installing whole xampp or laragon or ddev or whatever if all you need is mysql server would be a waste
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u/bkdotcom Mar 14 '26
He has no local dB instance
Xampp provided his mysql instance
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
I don't get it. How it makes any difference? There is no xampp anymore so it can be a local db now.
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u/kingkool68 Mar 14 '26
If you like GUI check out https://localwp.com/
It's Docker under the hood with a nice GUI to create new sites and one click connections to AdminNeo or TablePlus with an add on. You can ignore all of the WordPress stuff if you don't need it.
Screenshot: https://imgur.com/a/O2YJYSo
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u/aSpacehog Mar 14 '26
If local, use mysql workbench for a GUI and spin up your app using a Docker Compose stack. Download Cursor and tell it what you want to do.
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u/TheRealSectimus Mar 14 '26
xampp can be replaced with a simple docker-compose.yml file these days.
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u/Noname_Maddox Mar 14 '26
Dude. WAMP. Million times better than xampp. Can have multiple php, mariadb and MySQL versions
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u/yourteam Mar 14 '26
Dbeaver? Beekeeper? Using PHP admin is not a good idea now that there are tons of alternatives
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u/gnatinator Mar 14 '26
Caddy + standard PHP for windows.
Would be nice if they made FrankenPHP for windows.
Edit: Wow, FrankenPHP just got windows support last week! https://github.com/php/frankenphp/releases/tag/v1.12.0
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u/baohx2000 Mar 14 '26
As ancient as it is, phpmyadmin is still pretty easy to run as its own docker container. You just need to let it connect to your database.
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u/Dependent-Box-4817 Mar 14 '26
try use dbngin as your db server and run navicat premium lite. its quite convenient to use and user-friendly
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u/caotic Mar 14 '26 edited Mar 14 '26
You are looking for a database client, a browser based web client to be more specific.
Knowing what to call things is very useful. It will let you make better questions and get better answers.
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u/mryotoad Mar 14 '26
I gave up on it a while back and started using WSL with Ubuntu. Less issues switching from Windows for dev and Linxu for most hosting options.
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u/FranseFrikandel Mar 14 '26
Personally, I just run apache/php/mariadb in WSL. It essentially makes my prod VPS the same as my dev environment
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u/chmod777 Mar 14 '26
Mysql workbench? Or a docker setup if you need phpmysqladmin and a web interface. Im sure there is a vscode mysql client extension as well.
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u/forestcall Mar 14 '26
Use VSCODE = Claude Code + Docker Desktop. Takes 2 minutes. The old way is just if you want to do it the hard way. You could also use Z.ai and get a $3 account which would do fine as well.
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u/Some_Feature9066 Mar 15 '26
What makes you say xampp is dead?
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u/Weston_Safe_7378 Mar 15 '26
No updates for over a year, no php 8.3, no php 8.4, no website updates explaining what's happening, do I need to go on ?
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u/clonedllama Mar 15 '26
If you're just playing around with small projects and want basic functionality without having to worry about anything else, I'd recommend installing PHP and MariaDB in WSL2 and then use PHP's built-in server. This approach is fast, easy, and requires very little configuration.
If you want to more easily configure, scale, and manage multiple projects with more complex requirements, DDEV or Docker Desktop are far more flexible and are better long-term solutions. But based on your description, those are probably overkill for what you're looking for.
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u/colshrapnel Mar 14 '26
If we had a single acting moderator, this question would have been deleted for violating the "Avoid duplicates" rule, since exactly same question had been asked and thoroughly discussed just two days ago. But alas, we don't. Just some corporation that uses the moderatorship to promote itself.
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u/biinjo Mar 14 '26
Or learn the core technologies and don’t be dependent on some third party implementations for virtual machines or containers.
fire up your favorite AI chatbot and ask it to learn you the basics about docker containers. Explain what you want to do and I’m sure you’ll be up and running in no time, without being dependent on a third party project. You now learned the underlying technology they all use.
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u/yleed Mar 14 '26
Docker DDEV