PHP Apache or IIS? Linux or Windows?

[Zych]

Hey guys,

I am new to PHP. In fact I have not written anything yet. I have used Coldfusion in the past but I think PHP is the best way to go since it is Open Source; and if I have clients that want server side scripting PHP will save them some cash.

My question is which web server should I use and on what OS? I have used Linux a little but I am more familiar with Windows. I would think that Linux is more stable and if I want the system hosted elsewhere, I would think that Linux using Apache is the most common choice.

Is there more functionality with one over the other? I would also like to simulate I web hosting solution here at my house as a trial bed. What software does most hosting companies use? I would like to simulate the MySQL WebAdmin, etc that these hosting companies use but I don't know the full list of software they use.

Thanks,

Zych

 

[nawlej]

Well, you are gonna get a LOT of feedback on this. Im with you, I like open source and flexible, so I use Apache, on Linux.

___________________________________
[morse]--... ...--[/morse], Eric.

 

[tweenerz]

Prepare for the inevitable can of worms to be exploded.

I will stay out of subjective comments.

For the most part, it wont matter what OS you use. Most will agree that the best combination is Apache on Unix. That is because most PHP programmers are open source advocates. But the best thing about PHP is its versatility, so I would suggest sticking with what you are comfortable. There are definitely things that work better ion Unix then Windows, but the basic functionality is identicle.

Apache is by far the most common web server to use with PHP, and no one will disagree.

 

[jimoblak]

Apache->Linux or Windows
IIS->Windows

This means Apache is more available.

Most web hosting providers seem to use *nix/BSD since it can be set up for free. Their only operating cost is hardware and manpower.

You may be best suited to developing on Windows and serving on Linux.

- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[skiflyer]

I'm with tweenerz on this one... you definitely want Apache & PHP, but stick with the OS you're more comfortable with.

Linux is a great OS, and it can save loads of cash/time/efforts if deployed properly... but on the contrary it can cost loads of cash/time/efforts if you don't have people who know how to run it (just like any OS).

 

[ingresman]

Hace a look on the Zend site where they talk about the new software they have to improve stabilty on windows. The reasons they give why windows is not as good as *nix make interesting reading

 

[sleipnir214]

In general, I recommend you stick with what you are familiar with.

That said, you should keep in mind that PHP exposes the greatest functionality when run with Apache as a module.

Also, some of PHP's really useful but not-so-common function-families require third-party libraries. And making those libraries available to PHP is much easier on unix-like OSes.



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[DRJ478]

Just tooting into the same horn:
Stay where you are comfortable - at least for development. Install Apache, MySQL.

However, if you are going out to a commercial host, most likely you'll end up in the *NIX realm - anyone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Zych]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go with *NIX Apache combo. I had a fealing this is what most would lean towards even though most said "stay with what you are comfortable with". I need more experiance with Linux anyways. I have always been a Novell guy and they just bought SUSE. I have also run MySQL on a Mandrake box and it never missed a step. It has also been said that most (I think the number was 57%) CIO's plan on having most of their servers converted to Linux in the next 7 years. One thing is sure in IT and that is things change.

Is there any third party software that most hosting companies use to automate their systems? I would love to simulate it at my house as long as the cost is not too great. Maybe I will even set it up on a VMWare and see who hosts these.

Thanks again for all the replies,

- Zych

 

[jray2003]

I am using the following

http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

and love it. I used to use Abriasoft but it was to much and never updated. This is a complete easy to use turn key system that includes Apache, PHP and MySQL.

Jim

 

[Bastien]

ingresman

do you have link to the particular article regarding the OS comparison?

Bastien

Cat, the other other white meat

 

[skiflyer]

Probably be a fair amount of disagreement about this, but if you're going Linux anyway, you may want to give PostgreSQL a serious look. It's a much more full featured database... downsides equate to less support and a more difficult time finding a hosting provider.

 

[sleipnir214]

All:
This is completely off-topic for the forum, but I'll post it anyway....

I agree with skiflyer -- PostgreSQL has a much larger featureset than MySQL, and in fact supports features that are just a far-off dream in MySQL.

PHP's support for PostgreSQL is just as good as its support for MySQL.

What, in anyone's opinion, is the reason for the success of MySQL? I do know that it used to be difficult to get PostgreSQL configured and until recently PostgreSQL did not support Win32 -- could that be it?



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[skiflyer]

I have guesses...

1) It worked good enough for most people out of the box. My first MySQL installation, I literally selected defaults all the way through. (Altho my 7.5 PostgreSQL on Windows installation was just an unzip, so maybe this will be a moot point now)
2) PHP 4.x was basically sold as PHP & MySQL
3) I think that Windows support is a big thing, especially for the hobbyist.
4) Rumors though they might have been, up until a year ago MySQL was considered exceptionally fast, while PostgreSQL was considered full featured and slow. Benchmarks prove this wrong now.

But I think the biggest one has to do with the number of hosting companies which offer MySQL vs. PostgreSQL... which leads to the number of companies willing to use one over the other... which leads to the fact that until very recently (as in this week) there wasn't really a company standing behind PostgreSQL, there isn't a marketing campaign for it and if I'm going to throw my company information on to it, that can be a bit disturbing... it's always nice to know I can go to IBM for Oracle support, or to MySQL for MySQL support.

I think that's one of the biggest strengths for both PHP & MySQL ... each has a company which will help you out for cash if you ever get stuck. Then again, there's apache as the perfect counterexample, so who knows.

I dunno those are my thoughts as a person who uses MySQL all over the place but is in the process of switching to PostgreSQL for future projects.

 

[JRBeltman]

I too am a Novell user (what a "#@!$#@ program). No wonder they bought SUSE. I mean they would not have done well without this major change of direction.

Linux vs Windows is currently the question at my workplace. Going what you feel confortable with may not be the best.

Windows is something that most people know. But as all here have mentioned Linux is the platform for PhP.

So go for Linux! not widdows...

JR
As a wise man once said: To build the house you need the stone.
Back to the Basics!

 

[Zych]

I guess I need to check out PostgreSQL. I know MySQL but I keep hearing good things about PostgreSQL. I do love Novell but they suck when it comes to marketing. It doesn't matter how good the program is. At least they have some cash they can push into Linux. I plan to start studying for LPI as soon as I finish my MCSE. The only reason I will get my MCSE is that is where most people are going now days.

Has anybody else used XAMPP? Looks interesting.

 

[JRBeltman]

The thing with novell is that it hides the real stuff from you. You are limited to Novell commands and can hardly manage things without them. Plus it is based on DOS. Funny how ZEN on the other hand is based on Linux

I am with you on this one. Although I would love to get my CNA/CNE, MCSE is a must if you want to get a job in that market. Linux is up and coming, but less jobs are available.

And don't get me wrong. I don't say that you must have your MS certifications, but it simply is where most companies look for.

I personally look more at your skills than your certification. I even know people with MCSE who dont know a single thing about computers, but were able to memorize the book!

Also think about where in IT you want to go:
Development?
Management?
Maintenance?
Consulting?

JR
As a wise man once said: To build the house you need the stone.
Back to the Basics!