PHP: how to send email basics

Question

I\'m would like to use PHP to send email from my localhost to other people. What do I need to do that?

For example do I need to install mailserver? If I\'m not mistaken

Answer 1

Yes, you do need a mail server available. PHP's mail() function accepts the information you give it and passes it off to the mail server for delivery. PHP doesn't deliver mail itself.

What mail server you use depends on what operating system you are using. Traditionally on unix-type machines there will be an installation of sendmail or some other service running. On Windows, you can specify the name of an SMTP server in the php.ini configuration file.