Apache HTTP Server
By the Apache Software Foundation
Apache HTTP Server (often called 'httpd' or simply 'Apache') is a free, open-source, cross-platform web server first released in 1995, and historically the most widely deployed web server software on the internet.
Definition
Apache HTTP Server (often called 'httpd' or simply 'Apache') is a free, open-source, cross-platform web server first released in 1995, and historically the most widely deployed web server software on the internet.
Overview
Apache HTTP Server was released in 1995 by a group of developers extending NCSA's earlier httpd server, and the project's ongoing collaboration directly led to the founding of the Apache Software Foundation itself in 1999. For much of the early web's history, it was the dominant web server, and it remains one of the most widely used today. Its architecture is built around a highly modular design: optional modules add capabilities such as SSL/TLS termination (mod_ssl), URL rewriting (mod_rewrite), reverse proxying (mod_proxy), and language runtimes like PHP, letting administrators enable only what they need. Apache also supports multiple multi-processing modules (prefork, worker, and event) that determine how it handles concurrent connections, and per-directory configuration through .htaccess files, which is especially popular in shared hosting environments. Apache HTTP Server was a core pillar of the classic LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) that powered a huge share of the early web, including platforms like WordPress. Today it competes primarily with Nginx, which is often chosen for its event-driven concurrency model at very high traffic volumes, while Apache remains valued for its flexibility and mature module ecosystem — foundational topics covered in SkillVeris's Linux & Shell Scripting course.
Key Features
- Highly modular architecture with 60+ optional modules
- Cross-platform support across Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD
- Flexible per-directory configuration via .htaccess files
- Multiple multi-processing modules (prefork, worker, event)
- Robust name-based and IP-based virtual hosting support
- Built-in SSL/TLS, URL rewriting, and reverse proxy capabilities
- Deep, decades-long documentation and community support
- Core component of the traditional LAMP stack
Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
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