How to install Laravel Framework

Are you a PHP web developer and interested in using laravel framework? You go to the laravel website - http://laravel.com/ - but don't understand what he is talking about?

No worries, you are not alone.

I am interested in using laravel framework as well. I went to the website and I read ... and read  .... and read ... then leave. I do not understand the whole process. I am using windows 7 OS in case you want to know. =)

Here's what I did:

1. First, make sure you have PHP 5.3.7 version or greater. This is one of the main requirements so you can install Laravel.

2. Next, Download Laravel from: https://github.com/laravel/laravel/archive/master.zip

3. Extract Laravel into the htdocs folder for XAMPP or www for WAMP

4. Download Composer from: https://getcomposer.org/Composer-Setup.exe

5. Enable openssl from all php.ini files. In case you can't locate your php.ini file, open folder where your XAMPP or WAMP is located. use the search bar and type "php.ini" without quote.

6. Install Composer into the same directory php.exe is located. PHP.exe in my end is located in /../XAMPP/PHP/php.exe

7. Now, using your command prompt, go to the folder where you put your extracted laravel folder. (Refer to number 3)

8. AFter that, type in command - composer install

9. Now you can install Laravel by issuing the following command from your terminal:

composer create-project laravel/laravel your-project-name --prefer-dist

Wait a couple of minutes... Patience is a virtue. hehehe... and you're set. You may now go to http://laravel.com/docs/quick#installation and follow the instructions under "Via Composer". 

I hope it helps =)