Install PHP5, Apache, MySQL and phpMyAdmin on Linux

Note: You need root access, which is full control of the server. This guide suits VPS and dedicated server owners. It uses Ubuntu or Debian commands.

Tip: PHP 5 is very old and no longer gets security fixes. Newer versions work in a similar way. Use php instead of php5 and a newer release when you can.

What are these parts?

Linux is the operating system, the base software of the server.
Apache is the web server. It sends web pages to visitors.
MySQL is the database. It stores data in tables.
PHP is the language many websites use.
phpMyAdmin is a web page to manage MySQL.

Steps

Connect to your server with SSH. SSH lets you type commands on the server.
Update the list of software.

apt-get update

This refreshes the list of available packages.

Install Apache.

apt-get install apache2

Install MySQL. It asks you to set a root password. Pick a strong one and save it.

apt-get install mysql-server

Install PHP 5 and the parts that join it to Apache and MySQL.

apt-get install php5 libapache2-mod-php5 php5-mysql

Install phpMyAdmin. Choose apache2 when asked which server to set up.

apt-get install phpmyadmin

Restart Apache so it loads the new parts.

service apache2 restart

Test it

Make a test file.

echo "<?php phpinfo(); ?>" > /var/www/html/info.php

Open http://your-server-address/info.php in a browser. You should see a PHP information page.
Open http://your-server-address/phpmyadmin. You should see the login page.
Delete the test file when you finish.

rm /var/www/html/info.php

This removes the file, since it shows details attackers could use.

Warning: Do not leave phpMyAdmin open to the world without a strong password. Keep your software updated.

Quick recap

Install Apache, MySQL, PHP and phpMyAdmin with apt-get.
Restart Apache after you install.
Test with /info.php and /phpmyadmin.
Delete the test file afterwards.
PHP 5 is old, so use a newer version when possible.