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The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to simply as '''Apache''', is a Web Server notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web . Apache was the first viable alternative to the Netscape Communications Corporation web server (currently known as Sun Java System Web Server ), and has since evolved to rival other Unix-based web servers in terms of functionality and performance. Since April 1996 Apache has been the most popular HTTP server on the World Wide Web ; since March 2006 however it has experienced a steady decline of its market share1. As of August 2007 Apache served 50% of all Website s.2 The project's name was chosen for two reasons:http://www.mailarchives.org/list/apache-httpd-docs/msg/2001/00476 out of respect for the Native American Indian tribe of to the codebase of NCSA HTTPd 1.3 - making it "a patchy" server.http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196900465 Apache is developed and maintained by an open community of developers under the auspices of the Apache Software Foundation . The application is available for a wide variety of Operating System s including Microsoft Windows , Novell NetWare and Unix-like operating systems such as Linux and Mac OS X . Released under the Apache License , Apache is Free And Open Source Software . HISTORY The first version of the Apache web server was created by Robert McCool , who was heavily involved with the National Center For Supercomputing Applications web server, known simply as NCSA HTTPd . When Rob left NCSA in mid-1994, the development of httpd stalled, leaving a variety of patches for improvements circulating through e-mails. Rob McCool was not alone in his efforts. Several other developers helped form the original "Apache Group": Brian Behlendorf , Roy T. Fielding , Rob Hartill , David Robinson, Cliff Skol nick, Randy Terbush, Robert S. Thau, Andrew Wilson, Eric Hagberg, Frank Peters, and Nicolas Pioch. Version 2 of the Apache server was a substantial re-write of much of the Apache 1.x code, with a strong focus on further modularization and the development of a portability layer, the of Apache 2 was in March 2000, with the first General Availability Release on 6 April 2002 .http://www.apacheweek.com/features/ap2 Version 2.2 introduced a new authorization API that allows for more flexibility. It also features improved cache modules and proxy modules.http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.2/new_features_2_2.html FEATURES Apache supports a variety of features, many implemented as compiled modules which extend the core functionality. These can range from server-side programming language support to authentication schemes. Some common language interfaces support Mod_perl , Mod_python , Tcl , and PHP . Popular authentication modules include mod_access, mod_auth, and mod_digest. A sample of other features include SSL and TLS support (mod_ssl), a Proxy module, a useful URL rewriter (also known as a Rewrite Engine , implemented under mod_rewrite), custom log files (mod_log_config), and filtering support (mod_include and mod_ext_filter). Apache logs can be analyzed through a web browser using free scripts such as AWStats / W3Perl or Visitors . Virtual Hosting allows one Apache installation to serve many different actual websites. For example, one machine, with one Apache installation could simultaneously serve www.example.com, www.test.com, test47.test-server.test.com, etc. Apache features configurable error messages, DBMS -based authentication databases, and Content Negotiation . It is also supported by several Graphical User Interface s (GUIs) which permit easier, more intuitive configuration of the server. USAGE Apache is primarily used to serve both static content and Dynamic Web Page s on the World Wide Web. Many Web Application s are designed expecting the environment and features that Apache provides. Apache is the web server component of the popular XAMPP web server application stack, alongside MySQL , and the PHP / Perl / Python programming languages. Apache is redistributed as part of various proprietary software packages including the Oracle RDBMS or the IBM WebSphere Application Server . Mac OS X integrates Apache as its built-in web server and as support for its WebObjects application server. It is also supported in some way by Borland in the Kylix and Delphi development tools. Apache is included with Novell NetWare 6.5, where it is the default web server. Apache is used for many other tasks where content needs to be made available in a secure and reliable way. One example is sharing files from a personal computer over the Internet. A user who has Apache installed on their desktop can put arbitrary files in the Apache's document root which can then be shared. Programmers developing web applications often use a locally installed version of Apache in order to preview and test code as it is being developed. Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) is the main competitor to Apache, trailed by Sun Microsystems ' Sun Java System Web Server and a host of other applications such as Zeus Web Server . LICENSE See Also: Apache License The Software License under which software from the Apache Foundation is distributed is a distinctive part of the Apache HTTP Server's history and presence in the open source software community. The Apache License allows for the distribution of both open and Closed Source Derivation s of the source code. The Free Software Foundation does not consider the Apache License to be compatible with version 2 of the GNU General Public License (GPL) in that software licensed under the Apache License cannot be integrated with software that is distributed under the GPL: However, version 3 of the GPL includes a provision (Section 7e) which allows it to be compatible with licenses that have patent retaliation clauses, including the Apache License. The name ''Apache'' is a registered Trademark and may only be used with the trademark holder's express permission.http://www.apache.org/foundation/licence-FAQ.html#Marks SEE ALSO REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS |
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