hey all i was jus wonderin im currently considering installing php my sql . could anyone let me know of the main disadvantages and downfalls in this process encountered or to be aware of

if you install it as part of XAMP then there is little or no other user intervention required.
if you want to install PHP only then there is a certain amount of knowledge and 'nous' needed. Nothing thats especailly difficult but if you are a little concerned or tentative then I'd suggest the XAMP package