If you require a local webserver for testing out PHP and/or MySQL sites we recommend using MAMP rather than the modules that are included on your system. The reason for this is because you can play around with settings without worrying about affecting the built-in modues, you can remove the application
when you no longer need it without needing to change some deeply buried configuration files and it's free!
Installation is simple, just follow the instructions on the Disk Image. Once installed open the MAMP application and click the Start Servers button. You can then access the webserver from the browser by typing in http://localhost:8888/MAMP (this page will open automatically when you start for the first time).
You can then create folders inside the /Applications/MAMP/htdocs/ folder, publish your site into them and access them through your favorite browser by navigating to http://localhost:8888/mySite/ where mySite is the name of the folder you published into in the MAMP folder.
When you have finished testing you can close the servers and quit the application. It could't be simpler than that!