Can't see .php files (Wordpress) in Dreamweaver Live View on local server

Report · Apr 28, 2011

Hello. I hope I am writing this in the correct forum. I have installed the XAMPP server (mySQL/apache) on my computer so I can test my websites locally. I am using Dreamweaver CS5.

I found these tutorials and was successfully able to create databases in mySQL and was able to view the sample .php files in Dreamweaver's 'Live View'.

http://www.adobe.com/devnet/dreamweaver/articles/setup_php.html
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/dreamweaver/articles/setup_testing_server.html
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/dreamweaver/articles/dw_wordpress_pt1.html
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/dreamweaver/articles/dw_wordpress_pt2.html

My only problem was with the tutorial for Wordpress. I created the worpress database in mySQL and assigned privileges. I created a new site in Dreamweaver called 'blog'. I downloaded the tutorials 'my_themes' as well as the latest Wordpress build. I was able to activate the Worpress database, login and switch themes from 'mythemes' to 'twentyten' etc. I can view my 'mytheme' when I call up local url = http://localhost/wordpress/.

However, when I click on any of the .php files (either 'twentyten' or 'mytheme') in the Dreamweaver Local Files, I can't see them in the Live View, I receive .php errors. Examples:

when cliking on index.php = Fatal error: Call to undefined function get_header() in C:\xampp\htdocs\wordpress\wp-content\themes\twentyten\index.php on line 16

when clicking on functions.php = Fatal error: Call to undefined function add_action() in C:\xampp\htdocs\wordpress\wp-content\themes\twentyten\functions.php on line 51

I can't figure out why. I am a novice and still learning about .php environment/local test server/database mySQL connection...... I believe I set those up correctly, the database 'test' was handshaked. Again, on the other tutorials, I can see the .php files in Live View.

Maybe I am not pointing the site/server to the correction location for wordpress? On my local computer, I have:

C:\xampp\htdocs\ ...... the wordpress is located at C:\xampp\htdocs\wordpress\

In Dreamweaver I have this set up:

(site connection):

site name = blog
local site folder = C:\xampp\htdocs\wordpress\

(server);

server name: blogconnect
connect using: local/network
server folder: C:\xampp\htdocs\wordpress\
web url: http://localhost/wordpress/
testing server: PHP MySQL

(mySQL connection)

connection name: blogconnect
mySQL server: localhost
username: kenneth
password: .......
database: wordpress

Sorry for the long post, hope someone can assist. Thank You

Report · May 01, 2011

Just another rookie here, but I watched the first section of this tutorial on Lynda.com: http://www.lynda.com/Dreamweaver-CS5-tutorials/and-wordpress-3/60272-2.html

I was hoping it might shed some light on the problem I posted about elsewhere in this discussion area. Not sure it will help you, but replying to you just in case.

Good luck!

Report · May 02, 2011

Thanks for the reply. I spent last night looking at those videos, still can't find a solution. Strange thing is, within my Dreamweaver Local Files, I see 'stand-a-lone' files at the top of the list (ie: wp-trackbacks.php, wp-config,php, etc.). I can click on index.php and see the twentyten homepage in Dreamweave Live View.. However, within the folders such as wp-content (ie: wp-content/themes/twentyten), I can't view index.php. in the Live View. Nor can I view any of the .php files in the wp-admin or wp-icludes folder.

Report · Dec 15, 2013

Hi I am having the exact same problem, does anyone have a solution? I can live view/preview with localhost XAMPP php files which I create and place in the c:xamppp\htdocs\ folder (which is where I have my wordpress install folder as well). If I download a WP template and put it in that htdocs directory, I can NOT preview any PHP files in it without getting fatal errors such as

Fatal error: Call to undefined function have_posts() in C:\xampp\htdocs\blankslate\index2.php on line 3

this would happen for any and all WP templates in that folder. I feel I missing something basic. Can anyone help me please?

Again, my problem is identical to the OP from what I can tell.
BUT
If I make a new site, a test index.php or any PHP file and place it in a new directory within htdocs directory, (eg - c:htdocs\testsite\test.php)

I can in fact preview it locally.

I have checked the index.php file inside the wp install root dir and it's as it should be (i.e. it's NOT a theme index that was accidentally placed there)

What else am I missing from the htdocs folder when I put a theme / template in there (in its own folder) in order to use live view in dreamweaver? please....I am a bit stumped here!