Connecting clients to my local PHP file

Question

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Answer 1

Hi. I’m creating a simple little inter-relay chat (IRC), and I’m having problems making the program fit what I’m trying to do.

This is going to be a web-based program, as it uses HTML, JS, and CSS (obviously) for the front-end, and a PHP program as the server which stores data using an array of text files, as its too little of a project to use anything big like MySQL or MongoDB (but this isn’t the point). Anyway these are my requirements:

-I don’t want to spend money on this project, like for renting a server.
-I don’t want to have a separate computer act as the server. I want this to only work when my PHP file is running, so I want to keep it on my laptop.
-Finally, I REALLY don’t want this to be an accessible-for-everyone chat. I want to share this just with a friend or two. I have configured it so only I can sign users up.

Does anyone have any ideas how I could have the HTML file sent to the user privately, and requests can be sent to my PHP file (even though its on my computer). I have only one idea for this, which is to make a proxy server that directs all traffic with a distinct marking to be sent to my local PHP file. But I would like some input on what would be a better solution with less of a hassle. I’m feeling like there should be an obvious and easy way I’m just not thinking of it.

Thanks

By the way this is the description it wouldn't fit in the actual description thing for whatever reason. Sorry for inconvenience.