General questions please help

[mike314]

Hello, I'm new to Apache and I've got some questions

1. What is Apache? Is it a server communicator that allows me to use my IP number as a website????

2. What version of Apache should I download?

I ask because I want to learn PHP and I need Apache to learn PHP

thanks for all the help, sorry if this is a boring post but I could us all the help

 

[Wishdiak]

mike314,

1. Apache Webserver is just that, a webserver. It will allow your computer to serve HTTP documents to client computers, but there is some set up involved before you can do so. Apache Webserver is available for Linux and Windows platforms. Documentation is online at

http://httpd.apache.org

2. This is a hotly debated topic and depends on your individual needs.

3. I believe that Apache is not required for PHP, as long as you have a webserver running on your computer. Apache is not the only option, just the most popular one. Nearly 70% of all internet webservers run Apache.

Wishdiak

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[lgarner]

1. You could put it that way, yes. It's a web server, like IIS or Netscape.
2. The latest one. There are two branches: 1.3 and 2.0. The latest version of either is fine. I use 1.3, myself. Check

http://httpd.apache.org

 

[mike314]

how much of a set up is involved with settting up Apache on my computer. Does the setup include security settings such as setting a directory where client computers only have access to etc...

 

[lgarner]

Setup is fairly simple. You can install from source (more involved), or binaries are available for most platforms. If you use Windows there's even an msi installer.

Security is your responsibility. All directories are available to the world by default. You need to configure the restrictions and determine how they'll work: by address, user name, etc.

 

[Wishdiak]

mike314,

While I agree with lgarner completely, what you should do is figure out what you want to do with a web server and then read up on how to do it.

If you're using a Linux/BSD machine for your web server, then Apache is your best bet.

If you're using Windows XP Pro, 2000 Server, or Server 2003, then Apache is still your best bet (in my opinion), but the above Windows distributions come with a web server already on the install CD.

You may find that IIS is easier to install and configure, although you should be aware that IIS has far more security issues than Apache.

Wishdiak

http://www.wishdiak.com