We all want to have local directories in Apache so we can write and test code safely. Here’s how to do it
1. Create a directory in your home called public_html
2. Install the userdir Apache module using the a2enmod command like so
sudo a2enmod userdir
3. Edit the Apache 2 user preferences configuration file at /etc/apache2/httpd.conf
sudo vi /etc/apache2/httpd.conf
4. Put the following in the config file
<IfModule mod_userdir.c>
UserDir public_html
</IfModule>
5. Now restart Apache like so
sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 force-reload
6. You should now be able to browse your public_html directory from a web browser at the following URL:
http://localhost/~<username>/
http://dollarunderscore.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/local-directories-with-apache-on-ubuntu-704/