php Compiler Running on Macbook Pro

Hello,

I have been trying to get apache and a php compiler running for about three days. I would like to write php script on my computer and the open it locally in my browser so that my computer does the compiler. I these files are only local to my machine, but I really enjoy programming in php and would love to have that environment again. I was wondering if someone had already fought with this problem and could give me some advice. I have a macbook pro with OS X (fully updated and everything). Any suggestions, be it programs I could install or things to try, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and I hope you have a wonderful evening,

whywork7