We always hear about the importance of API products in developing web applications. But there is something else that also helps deliver powerful web applications – LAMP stack. The term LAMP stack is used quite often these days. Its popularity is that most open-source web applications run on a LAMP stack.
But the LAMP stack is not limited to it. The best part about a LAMP stack is that it is one of the most common and old ways to deliver web applications. We can use powerful, stable, and simple words to describe a LAMP stack. So how can we say it also plays an important role, just like API products? This article will explain everything in detail. Continue reading!
Table of Contents
What Is A LAMP Stack?
We know what an API can do for us, but we should also know about the role of LAMP. LAMP stack consists of four different software technologies that help us build websites and web applications. It is an acronym for operating systems such as Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
The best part about these technologies is that they are open source. So anyone can access them for free and build high-quality web applications. LAMP is a complete system, but APIs have several examples, such as weather API, Yahoo finance API, and much more.
Flexibility
Despite the fact that LAMP employs Linux as its operating system, you can use the other components with a different OS to suit your unique requirements. For instance, there is a WAMP stack that uses Microsoft Windows, a MAMP stack that uses the Mac OS, and even a WIMP stack that uses Windows and the Microsoft Internet Information Services webserver.
You can prevent lock-in because LAMP is entirely open-source and non-proprietary. You are free to select the best elements for different projects or company requirements.
LAMP also provides flexibility in other ways. Due to Apache’s modular nature, built-in programmable modules are already available for a wide range of extensions. These modules provide everything from authentication capabilities to support for various languages.
LAMP also has a safe architecture and tried-and-true encryption techniques that have been proven to work in businesses.
Efficiency
LAMP is the most efficient system, since it reduces development time. Since it has been available for over a decade, we have a substantial LAMP ecosystem. We can build something like most developers did in the past. We can save 80% of the efforts using Apache web server, while only 20% is customized work. This is how it saves our time.
What Are The Components Of A LAMP Stack?
As mentioned earlier, the LAMP system is composed of four main components. These components provide a proven software set that helps us deliver high-quality web applications. It is important to note that each component is responsible for delivering some capabilities to the stack. These components are explained below:
Linux Operating System
Linux operating system was developed in the mid 1990s. The best part about a Linux operating system is that it is free. Different industries are using Linux operating systems, hence, an extensive worldwide user base. Linux offers more configuration file options and flexibility to the system. It supports the other components while sitting at the first level.
Apache Web Servers
Apache HTTP server forms the second layer of LAMP stack components as a popular web server software. It uses HTTP to store website files and exchange information with our browser. We can also use other web servers, apart from Apache, with LAMP.
Apache web server performs the following actions when a browser requests a web page:
- Apache receives the request
- It finds the required page file by processing the request
- It sends the related information back to the targeted browser
MySql Database
It is the third layer of the LAMP stack system. MySQL database is a relational database management system that is also open-source. The LAMP model uses SQL language to manage, query, and store information in relational databases. For example, developers use it to store application data of different types. The data can be:
- Customer records
- Inventories
- Sales
- And more
PHP Programming Language
It is an open-source programming language that stands for hypertext preprocessor. It forms the fourth and final layer of LAMP architecture. It helps our websites run different dynamic web pages. We can embed it with HTML to run real-time information on websites. We can use it to allow databases, web servers, and operating systems to process requests from the browser.
HTML helps us display web pages.
How Do The Components Of The LAMP Stack Work Together?
Now that we have learned about all the elements of LAMP architecture, it is important to know how they work. For this purpose, we have to look at a high level. The MySQL database and Apache web server communicate using PHP and run on Linux operating system. It works in the following steps:
Receive Request
The Apache server receives the request. It will respond with appropriate content if that request is to load static web pages. On the other hand, if it has to load the dynamic processes, it will pass the request to the PHP component. The PHP component will respond with a particular PHP file.
Process Request
The next step is to process the requests. The PHP file will contain PHP code or PHP commands that help in dynamic content. For example, creating sale charts or converting measurement units.
Return The Response
The last step will require the PHP to pass the results to the web server. The final result will be in HTML format. It will also store the data in the MySQL database. Apache MySQL and PHP send the dynamic result to the user’s browser in HTML format.
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A LAMP Stack?
Advantages
- Open-source and easily available
- Easily customizable
- We can easily find help support
- Easy to set up for web application
Disadvantages
- Doesn’t support other operating systems than Linux
- It may run into problems under heavy workloads
- Switching between coding can disturb the workflow
- Less efficient than non-relational systems
What Is A LAMP Stack Used For?
- Building and delivering web-based applications
- Helps compete with commercial software development tools
- Backend and server-side web development
- Helps create both dynamic and static web content
What Are Alternatives Of A LAMP stack?
- XAMPP (Cross-platform, Apache, MariaDB, PHP, Perl)
- LLMP (Linux, Lighttpd, MariaDB/MySQL, Perl/PHP/Python)
- LEAP (Linux, Eucalyptus, AppScale, Python)
- LAPP (Linux, Apache, PostgreSQL, PHP)
- LEMP (Linux, NGINX, MariaDB/MySQL, PHP/Python/Perl)
- MEAN (MongoDB, Express, Angular, Node.js)
FAQs
What is meant by LAMP stack?
LAMP stack is a system that consists of open-source software technologies to build web applications.
Is LAMP stack still used?
Yes. It is still considered a wonderful alternative to different commercial applications.
Why is LAMP stack so popular?
It is popular due to its open-source development approach. We can also use Python and Perl, with high availability and easy-to-use features.
How does LAMP stack work?
LAMP stack works in three steps:
- Receives requests
- Processes requests
- Returns the results
What are LAMP stack and MEAN stack?
LAMP stack stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. In comparison, MEAN is also a software stack that stands for MongoDB, Express, Angular, and Node.js.
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