Map files creation prerequisits

[Manjiri Andhare]

Hi!
I wan to create a Map file. I have installed mapserv.exe and I'm using IIS
on Windows2000. I want to know about what else do i need to create a map
file and where should i edit it. Can i edit the map file using notepad or
there is some tool which i could use to build a map file? And is it
neccessary to have php to work with map files and mapserver software?
Thank you,
Manjiri