# Setting up a server

#### Testing in the Browser

I recommend using [Firefox](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/) for testing pages from the file protocol (file://) or [Brave](https://brave.com) for testing from localhost (<http://localhost/> or <http://126.0.0.1/).&#x20>;

#### Setting up a server

You can create web pages and test them *without a server* but eventually you may want use something like [XAMPP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XAMPP) to install a [web server](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server) locally.&#x20;

> *A **web server** is* [*server software*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_software) *whose primary function is to store, process and deliver* [*web pages*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_page) *to* [*clients*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client_\(computing\))*.*[*\[1\]*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server#cite_note-1) *Pages delivered are most frequently* [*HTML documents*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTML)*, which may include* [*images*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image)*,* [*style sheets*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Style_sheet_\(web_development\)) *and* [*scripts*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JavaScript) *in addition to the text content.*

Some features may or may not work without a server.&#x20;

In cases where a feature may not work it should be documented.&#x20;

Actually I recommend using Visual Studio Code and [Live Server](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu-q2zYwEYs) for working with Web Export as shown here.&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu-q2zYwEYs>" %}

#### Installing a Server on Windows

Video from YouTube user [STWebDesigner](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtlYVUIlsKoUrrSyKyxcgrw) on setting up XAMPP.&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhqJMH5HalQ>" %}

#### Installing a Server on Mac OSX

Mac OSX comes with a server installed already. If you are fine using a command line then you can use this for testing. If you don't know what a command line see the next video.&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHYh-m4iXw4>" %}

If you would like to use a server with an easy to read UI and control panel use the following XAMPP install video.&#x20;

The video also shows installing Brackets. This may be useful as well but is not required.&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U96IT1olVkw>" %}

#### After installing a server

Typically, to install a server you simply install something like [XAMPP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XAMPP) and after it is installed you start it.&#x20;

Start your server according to it's documentation and then export your web pages to the root folder. The server software will help you with this.&#x20;

#### Adding your server to your project

You can test that the server is setup using the server field and server test button and after export you can launch a browser to that page using the **server link** button.

In the Export Artboard dialog enter the URL to the server.&#x20;

![](https://735683391-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LWpp_0PwLnj_AXGL2u7%2F-LtAiFLvqj_22u-yrY-o%2F-LtAkt5XY17rsVS4H1Mo%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=8b5b12bf-53d1-4922-b944-a85a4a12a022)

When a server is setup a server link button will appear after export next to the copy url button and the url button.&#x20;

![](https://735683391-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LWpp_0PwLnj_AXGL2u7%2F-LtAiFLvqj_22u-yrY-o%2F-LtAjy6IA1zw-cnTaHKr%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=61336678-f163-40bb-bedd-c1e075660b96)

It will create a link using the value in the server field and the name of the page. It simply adds the first value to the second value.&#x20;

For example, if you put a server as, "<http://127.0.0.1/>'" and the page name is "myPage.html" the link will be "<http://127.0.0.1/myPage.html".&#x20>;

{% hint style="warning" %}
Be sure to add a slash, "/" at the end of the server address if it needs it. Web Export will not do this for you since it simply appends the page name.&#x20;
{% endhint %}