php 5.4 introduced inbuilt web server

php 5.4 is released on 1st march 2012 , and it has inbuilt web server for development purpose as announced on php.net website you can start web server using command line tool for your development here is release statement

"The PHP development team is proud to announce the immediate availability of PHP 5.4.0. This release is a major leap forward in the 5.x series, which includes a large number of new features and bug fixes.

Some of the key new features include: traits, a shortened array syntax, a built-in webserver for testing purposes and more. PHP 5.4.0 significantly improves performance, memory footprint and fixes over 100 bugs. "

if you want to give a try download latest php from http://www.php.net/downloads.php
and windows users 

http://windows.php.net/download/ 

Direct Download Link : http://windows.php.net/downloads/releases/php-5.4.0-nts-Win32-VC9-x86.zip 

and extract  the file 

if you are in Ubuntu or others debian based Linux distribution 

use command
$sudo apt -get update && apt-get upgrade
$sudo apt-get install php

How to use inbuilt web server :

"cd c:\web\devolpment\folder "
"php -S localhost:8000 "










NOTE :  windows users
add php installation directory in your environment variables $PATH before using it from command line