About the Apache Web Server
by Kelly Sundstrom, Demand MediaThe Apache web server is a widely-used web server platform written by the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). The application is a highly-extensible framework for making a computer provide web pages to other computers through a LAN or the Internet. The development of the software is actively supported by members of the ASF. It boasts high performance, leading edge security measures and hacking countermeasures, as an example of the myriad additions that can be implemented by Apache.
Significance
The Apache web server is significant in that it competes with, and beats out, other high-cost and privately-developed web server software. Over 70 percent of web servers, globally, run Apache for the web server software. The distant second place is filled by Microsoft at 20 percent. For every 10 web pages that you see, 7 of them are delivered to your computer screen courtesy of Apache web server software.
Open Source
The Apache project maintains "open source" for the development of the software. This means that the programming code that the developers write is directly and openly available to anyone. This allows the development and improvement of the software by geographically and politically separated developers within a team, and the results are spectacular, as the 70 percent global usage of the product shows.
Function
Apache web server will answer requests for webpages. These requests are usually received on TCP port 80, and the requests are commonly initiated by an Internet browser program. When the Apache program receives the request for a file, it looks for the file on its disk, and when found, sends that file to the requester in a stream of data named HyperText Transfer Protocol, which is then decoded by the browser program and rendered as a web page on the requester's screen. The Apache program functions as a deliverer of webpages through the network/Internet.
Operating Systems
Apache can run on Linux and Windows operating systems. Installers for the Win32 platform are readily available and free for use and implementation. However, the use of Apache on a Linux system takes advantage of the native environment of Apache and the security measures that are enabled as a result. The proper installation of Apache on a Linux-based server provides an extremely high level of security.
Future
Apache stands to hold as the leading web server software for many years to come. The development model of the ASF assures for a strong talent base to continue maintenance and improvement of the existing code, and the open source freedom along with zero dollar price tag assure the continued success of the "A-Patchy" web server software.
