If you're using Linux you'll find out pretty fast that MAMP isn't an option. If you try to install the alternative, Ampps ( https://ampps.com/downloads ) and it doesn't work, as it didn't for me this week, try the page linked here. If you're a complete newb like me when you began here this page is excellent for it's clarity and succinctness, just take your time.
https://io.bikegremlin.com/12127/lamp-stack-mint/
If you have a struggle with the path/link to localhost/php see the comments.