Do you have any favorite tech stack or software bundle for your web development projects?
Are there any oldies you would bring back to life?
In this article, we'll focus on a tech stack for the ages: the LAMP stack.
Below, we'll explain the LAMP stack, its different technologies, and why you should use it.
We'll review frequently asked questions about this web development stack.
And finally, we'll see some resources for developers who want to start working with this set of tools.
What is the LAMP Stack?
First introduced in 1998, the LAMP stack is a set of open-source tools to create, deploy and manage web applications.
The name LAMP comes from the first letter of its four technologies: Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP.
What are LAMP Stack Elements?
The LAMP stack consists of an operating system (Linux) and a web server (Apache).
It also has a database server (MySQL) and a programming language.
This programming language is usually PHP but can also be Python or Perl.
Before diving into how the stack works, we’ll look into each of these.
Linux on LAMP
In the early 1990s, Linux was created as a free and open-source operating system.
It has since become the backbone of the LAMP stack.
Linux has proven to be an excellent choice for developers and users alike.
Some features include customization options, frequent updates and lightweight infrastructure.
Apache on LAMP
Apache is a widely used, cross-platform, open-source web server first released in 1995.
It's further renowned for its high performance and reliability and can handle vast web traffic.
Apache processes requests and transmits data using the HTTP protocol.e
This feature is key for its power to ensure secure and efficient internet communication.
Its flexibility and extensive range of features make it a top choice for web developers and businesses worldwide.
MySQL on LAMP
MySQL is one of the most popular, free, open-source Relational Database Management Software (DBMS).
Among DBMS, it's widely recognized as the most popular and powerful tool for storing app data.
Released in 1995, MySQL is known for its exceptional scalability, security and business-oriented approach.
It has become the go-to choice for businesses looking to manage their data effectively and efficiently.
PHP on LAMP
This general-purpose scripting programming language is used in web development to create dynamic content.
PHP was initially introduced in 1995 and was originally known as Personal Home Page.
However, it has evolved over time and now stands for Hypertext Preprocessor.
Thats's a fitting name if we consider its ability to process data and generate dynamic content.
Perl and Python in the LAMP Stack
As mentioned, the P in LAMP often refers to PHP.
Yet, the stack can also leverage both Perl and Python!
Perl is a feature-rich programming language that first appeared back in 1988.
It's an embeddable and portable open-source for web apps.
Likewise, released in 1991, Python is a highly versatile programming language for websites, mobile and web apps.
You can learn more about both in out article about the stages of programming languages!
How does The LAMP Stack Work Together?
The LAMP Stack process is pretty straightforward.
Users request a web page from their browser that's received by Apache.
If the request is for a PHP file, Apache passes it to PHP, which loads and executes the code.
PHP is also connected to MySQL, and creates the HTML the browser needs to display content.
Why is The LAMP Stack Important?
- Open Source. All elements of the LAMP stack are open source. As a results, teams can make shared changes to improve performance.
- Customization. Teams can easily change one or more components if needed. For instance, there's LAMP for Windows (WAMP) and for macOS (MAMP).
- Efficiency. You're bound to find many resources on the LAMP stack. You rarely have to start a project from scratch!
- Security. LAMP's secure architecture and established encryption practices make it highly safe.
- Community. The LAMP stack has been around for quite a while, and has built a huge community.
LAMP Stack vs MEAN Stack
MEAN is a JavaScript-based stack used to build dynamic websites and apps, which can deploy in any OS.
The acronym MEAN in this stack stands for MongoDB, Express, Angular and NodeJS.
What makes the MEAN stack attractive is that all components work with JavaScript.
As it’s a prevalent language, most team members are sure to know JS, which eases collaboration.
Meanwhile, LAMP is a well-established stack, and countless resources are available.
While LAMP can only deploy in Linux, it can change into WAMP to work with Windows.
LAMP Stack vs MERN Stack
The MERN and LAMP stacks also use different technologies.
In fact, MERN Stack is more similar to MEAN as it uses MongoDB, Express, React and NodeJS.
MERN is also JavaScript-based and has a front-end component (React).
The differences between the MERN and LAMP stacks are similar to those between the MEAN and LAMP ones.
When it comes to which one to use, you should look at your team composition and the project characteristics you will tackle.
Conclusion
What do you think of the LAMP stack? Will you be using it or any of its variations for future projects?
If you do, we hope to have given you enough background and resources to do so!
