PHP Apache

Hi friends of PHP, I am new to PHP and just created a code. I tried it out on a php enabled site and it worked, oh joy! I then installed apache 2.0.48. All was good. I then downloaded and installed php 4.3.4.exe, the auto install version. I chose apache in the bullet menu thing but when it installed it said i have to configure a file as it failed to work. I uploaded some PHP files to the htdocs, and loaded it via http://localhost/file.php. The file exists and it loaded, but wasnt reading the PHP script? It was like when you just open the file in internet explorer. I am using inetrnet explorer 6. Help me, i am running XP Home Edition! Thanks Ashley