how to set up ubuntu LAMP stack /var/www similar to the xampp htdocs for http://localhost

Question

In xampp,

all anyone has to do is to place a folder inside htdocs and http://localhost/folder_name will automatically work.

If i set up a LAMP stack using sudo tasksel in ubuntu,

how do i do it such that if i put a folder inside /var/www the same thing would happen as in localhost/folder_name would work?

update

sorry all, i have chosen to do things in a different way hence this question is no longer relevant to me.

I apologise.

I have awarded upticks to all answers here.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Answer 1

Can you try visiting http://localhost/foldername/app/webroot/index.php ?

If that works, that means .htaccess files are not working. A common problem that I've run into, especially modifying the wrong AllowOverride.

Answer 2

The default Apache install on Ubuntu is setup with one vhost, that is mapped to /var/www. If Apache is running, you should be able to type http://localhost into a browser and see the directory listing for /var/www.

Try to create a simple file

<?php
phpinfo();

, save it to /var/www/test.php and then access it on http://localhost/test.php.

Are you going to develop multiple projects? Then I'd recommend adding additional vhosts per project. So instead of modifying default vhost, make a copy of it. Don't forget to activate it with a2ensite [vhost-name].

If you're still having problems, please post your vhost, some basic info on your directory structure etc.