apache configuration help

im just starting to learn all this stuff and i wanted to have my own server run from my home computer for the websites i develop.
i downloaded apache but i cannot understand a word from the configurations manuals. My questions are what do i need to edit in the httpd file or any other things i need to do to get the server running. By the way why do i have httpd and http.default in the conf folder?
Another thing, after i finished configuring it, what iport would i type in the address bar to get the files in the htdocs directory i.e. index.htm
PS: heres my computer info.

Windows xp home edition, 512 mb ram, pentium 4, 1.60ghz (if you need to know more just ask.