NetBeans is recommending to use MAMP for Apache + MySQL + PHP on the Mac. There’s a MAMP and a MAMP PRO. The MAMP is actually nothing more than a collection of open source libraries and stuff like PHP, MySQL, etc. in one big directory that goes to /Application/MAMP/. It comes with a little GUI to start/stop the server and to do some very basic settings. However, it is extremely limited. There’s a MAMP PRO which does some more things but costs like $65. As I’m not making any money with my web dev I look for free solutions.
So is there something else that’s open source / free, which does the same thing like MAMP Pro? starting / stopping PHP / Apache / MySQL on the Mac, configuring hosts, ports, etc.?
Is there something wrong with the software already built-in?
The official MySQL distro includes a graphical start/stop client. It’s a single button, in fact.
The built-in copy of Apache can be startted and stopped in the file sharing settings area. Combine it with a not-ancient version of PHP and you’re set.