As a dedicated student developer, I am actively working on my web application with unwavering passion. In order to achieve smooth operation and efficiency, I require a server equipped with FTP, PHP (version 7 or later), curl, and the ability to execute cross-domain requests. However, due to financial limitations, I have resorted to using two free hosting services, which unfortunately failed me on multiple occasions - my sites would crash after just one or two days of file uploads.

As I face such predicaments, I am left with no other choice but to consider alternative solutions, such as deploying a local server on my personal computer. Do you have any ideas or suggestions on how I can overcome these technical obstacles?

Are you really unable to afford $5 per month? In the field of IT, servers aren't simply given away for nothing. While some promotions and bonuses may exist, they are only temporary.
Consider the amount of time you spend trying to troubleshoot free hosting and searching for a miracle solution. How valuable will your application be if it doesn't have the necessary resources?

investing in quality servers is crucial to the success of any IT project. While it may require some financial sacrifice in the short-term, it will ultimately pay off in the long-term by providing the necessary support and resources for your application. Additionally, taking advantage of available promotions and bonuses can help offset costs and make server investments more affordable.

A while back, I utilized a free registered account on a Hosting service for a project. At one point, I even paid for it when they claimed it was to filter out bots. However, that's beside the point.

Eventually, the hostinger grew tired of providing free hosting and informed me that I would have to pay or switch to 000webhost. Curious, I registered and checked it out - but it didn't appeal to me. While I was dealing with Hostinger's fussiness regarding payment, I came to the conclusion that I'll likely go for something more reasonable, such as a cheap VDS. Nevertheless, that's not the matter at hand.

A week later, I received an alarming email claiming that a hacker had accessed my mailbox and inserted a virus via mail to my webcam, and that my unsavory images would be sent to all my contacts. They included a password I had only used on 000webhost as proof of their hacking skills. It's clear that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Aruba offers VPS hosting at a rate of one euro per month. There are various options to choose from based on your requirements. Any VPS hosting package can be customized to suit your needs. The only requirement is that the price should be affordable.

It's surprising that people tend to overlook Google and Amazon. They offer a free tier that provides ample resources for running small websites.

When it comes to PHP, I prefer using App Engine.

One alternative solution you can consider is setting up a local development environment on your personal computer. This will allow you to have full control over the server configuration and eliminate the dependence on third-party hosting services. Here are some steps and suggestions to help you overcome these technical obstacles:

1. Local Server Setup: You can deploy a local server environment by installing software such as XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP, depending on your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). These software packages provide an all-in-one solution for running Apache, MySQL, PHP, and other necessary components on your local machine.

2. FTP Replacement: Since you require FTP for file uploads, you can use the file transfer features provided by the local server environment. For example, with XAMPP, you can directly manage your files through the file system on your computer and access them through the local server.

3. PHP and cURL: Installing XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP will automatically include PHP (version 7 or later) and cURL. This will ensure that your local server environment meets your requirements for developing and testing your web application.

4. Cross-Domain Requests: When working locally, cross-domain request issues are often non-existent. You can freely make requests to different domains without facing the restrictions that are typically encountered in a live hosting environment.

5. Testing and Debugging: Utilize the local server environment for thorough testing and debugging of your web application. Since you have full control over the server, you can replicate various scenarios and troubleshoot any issues more effectively.

6. Long-Term Solution Consideration: While a local server setup can serve as an immediate solution, it's essential to explore long-term hosting options that provide stability and reliability for your web application as it grows. This may involve budgeting for a paid hosting service that meets your technical requirements.

By deploying a local server on your personal computer, you can continue developing your web application with increased stability and efficiency. Additionally, this approach allows you the flexibility to experiment with different server configurations and gain valuable experience in server management.

If your application is crashing after a couple of days, it's a clear indicator that those services are not meant for serious development. Instead of playing the waiting game for your sites to crash again, take the plunge and set up a local server.

Using something like WAMP or LAMP will give you the flexibility and reliability you need. Plus, it's an invaluable learning experience. You'll not only enhance your technical skills but also avoid the headache of dealing with unreliable hosts.