Xampp isn't bad but then again I stay away from code done by others as much as possible. I like to make my own code and build my own library because 1) I know it works, and 2) I know what each thing does and how they do it PLUS I got a listing on what values it returns and how. Also, I do Object Oriented Programming and most of these "add component" is bloated and isn't very OOP friendly.

BTW MySQL does have a easy to use program, it's called PHPMYAdmin.. You can install this on your "server" your running Xampp on. It makes database creation as easy as click and select.