[c0ncrete]

it's because apache isn't configured correctly to execute/handle the contents of the php file, and instead is providing them as plain text files.

also, you only want to open the file via a network address through apache, not using file->open.

again, don't worry about getting the database editor to work until you get a simple php document like the one with phpinfo in it to be correctly translated by apache. otherwise, you'll just end up confusing yourself further.

you're likely missing something like this

#
LoadModule php5_module "c:/php/php5apache2.dll"
AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .php

# configure the path to php.ini
PHPIniDir "C:/php"

found @ http://php.net/manual/en/install.windows.apache2.php