What packages are needed to set up my own LAMP server?

I see that this forum is mostly dedicated to installing remotely on a webhost.
This question relates to installing a LAMP server on a local machine.
I am using Linux Mint, and I want to migrate all my development environment to Linux.
I can work fine with XAMPP on Windows, but I don't like that OS at all.
So, here's the question: I can install tons of stuff related to Apache, MySQL, and PHP, but I don't know exactly what packages to install in order to make Zen Cart work.
Please note that Linux Mint is compatible with all the Ubuntu repositories, plus it has its own.
I could also install XAMPP for Linux, which probably comes with a handy Control Panel, in order to stop and restart services.
I am looking forward to advice and guidance on this.
PS. I have already dabbled with this, but phpmyadmin didn't install properly, because it wasn't finding the MySQL server, maybe I needed to restart computer, or maybe I need to install XAMPP for Linux???

I run XAMPP on Ubuntu with no problems whatsoever. Seems dandy to me.

You can search for XAMPP on the ubuntu forums or if you want I'll email the howto I printed out. Just send me an email address.

The only issues I had were when php was already running and then xampp throughs a fit but once I killed everything and then tried again all was well and has worked flawlessly since then...

The link to the post that I printed out and has a good explanation of the install process is :

ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=223410&highlight=xxamp

niccol:

The link to the post that I printed out and has a good explanation of the install process is:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=223410&highlight=xxamp
Thanks for quick answer.
Ubuntu will do just fine, since I am using Mint, which is an Ubuntu sibling with an emphasis on usability.
The instructions for Mint will probably be somewhat different, since the tarball can be installed via GUI in Mint.
I didn't fully understand this part: "The only issues I had were when php was already running and then xampp throughs a fit but once I killed everything and then tried again all was well..."
What did you mean by kill everything?
Will keep you posted.
BTW, I also use Ubuntu on another machine, so will try your tut there and give you feedback.
I am also registered in the Ubuntu forums, so will post there too if needed.

Well, to be a hundred percent honest i can't remember which of the programmes it was - maybe mysql. Not sure. Anyway, it was running already and whatever I did I couldn't get the XAMPP control panel to start it. D'oh!!

Stopping the process first ( who'd of thunk it? ) then made the whole thing work. It now works exactly how I want. Just check that apache and mysql do not start at 'start up' (you really don't want them to anyway for security reasons) and everything should be fine each time you go to start the rather nice Xampp control panel.

*To kill a process from terminal

$ killall program-name*

I have to say that Ubuntu rocks. When you shove in the LTS server CD it will ask you if you want to install a LAMP server. Tell it yes and it will handle 99% of the work from there.

recentcoin:

I have to say that Ubuntu rocks...
Well, Linux rocks. Check the SLAMPP distro on distrowatch, great features there too.
However, I am just looking for a dev server on my local computer for the moment.
Think I will start with XAMPP on Linux Mint, then move on to Linux live servers.