Minimum System Requirements - How to successfully install and use Joomla! PDF Print E-mail
The first thing you must do to in the process of leanring how to install joomla is, meeting minimum system requirement for Joomla on your web server. The "best fit" for Joomla install is having a server with Apache and a database with MySQL. Also the server will need server side scripting language PHP along with specific modules that are activated within PHP for XML, PHP and Zlib to name just a few.  Learning How to install Joomla is fun and exiting ad you will find tons of great support just like you found this site. However, while many folks will do there best to help, Joomla is not a stand alone program but instead depends on you having a web host that is fully functioning and compatabile with a Joomla Install.
Most all of the Joomla testing and developement is done on Apache web server versions 1.3.+ and 2.x+. This is not to say that you cannot Learn how to install Joomla on other systems, like Windows IIS, however these do not have the full support from the technical community. The same may be said for the database you use when you install Joomla.  MySQL is the ideal choice yet still other types of database's may work with your Joomla install they are just not well supported.

Requirements for Joomla 1.5.x

Software Recommended Minimum More information
PHP* 5.2 + 4.3.10 http://www.php.net
MySQL** 4.1.x + 3.23 http://www.mysql.com
Apache***
(with mod_mysql, mod_xml,
and mod_zlib)
2.x + 1.3 http://www.apache.org
Microsoft IIS**** 7 6 http://www.iis.net

Requirements for Joomla 1.0.x

Software Recommended Minimum More information
PHP* 5.2 + 4.2 http://www.php.net
MySQL** 4.1.x + 3.23 http://www.mysql.com
Apache***
(with mod_mysql, mod_xml,
and mod_zlib)
2.x + 1.3 http://www.apache.org
Microsoft IIS**** 7 6 http://www.iis.net
 
 

You must ensure that you have the MySQL, XML, and Zlib functionality enabled within your PHP installation. This is controlled within the php.ini file.

You must not try to install Joomla using PHP 4.3.9, PHP 4.4.2 or PHP 5.0.4; there are know bugs in these versions of PHP that will cause major problems with your Joomla Install. Also, Zend Optimize 2.5.10 for PHP 4.4.x has an issues and should no be use your Joomla install.  If you not sure about these or any settings ask your web host.  If need be your web host can make upgrades to your server so you can install and use Joomla.  If you know there is a problem with any system requirment you should notify your Host provider before you go forward with your Joomla install.  This will save you much time and frustration!
MySQL 6.x is not yet supported.
The best and most consistent result for installing and using Joomla have been found with the PHP 5.x series.
 

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