The acronym LAMP refers to a solution stack of free and open source software, used to run dynamic websites or servers. Referring to the first letters, the original expansion is as follows:
- Linux, referring to the operating system.
- Apache, the web server.
- MySQL, the database management system (or database server).
- Perl, PHP or Python, which are scripting languages.
The combination of these technologies is used primarily to define a web server infrastructure, define a programming paradigm of developing software, and establish a software distribution package. Though the originators of these open source programs did not design them all to work specifically with each other, the combination has become very popular.
The scripting component of the LAMP stack has its origins in the CGI web interfaces that became popular in the early 1990s. This technology allows the user of a web browser to execute a program on the web server, and to thereby receive dynamic as well as static content. Programmers used scripting languages with these programs because of their ability to manipulate text streams easily and efficiently, even when they originate from disparate sources. For this reason system designers often referred to such scripting systems as glue languages.
LAMP technology can drive web applications, and although it is powerful, is also comparatively simple and easy to use.
Individually, Linux, Apache Web server, MySQL database, Perl, Python or PHP are each a powerful component in its own right. The key to the idea behind LAMP, a term originally coined by Michael Kunze in the German magazine c't in 1998, is the use of these items together. Although not actually designed to work together, these open source software alternatives are readily and freely available. This has lead to them often being used together. In the past few years, their compatibility and use together has grown and been extended. Certain extensions have even been created specifically to improve the cooperation between different components.
Today, the products that make up the LAMP stack are included by default in nearly all Linux distributions, and together they make a powerful Web application platform.
Benefits of the Free or Open Source Software
Each of the components in the LAMP stack is an example of Free or Open Source Software (FOSS). The benefit of the FOSS approach is three-fold. First, the nature of open source software means applications are available for free download, making them readily available to a wide range of people without payment. That makes the software incredibly attractive to a wide range of users who would otherwise have to pay for "professional" commercial tools, which is often an expensive step in producing a Web site.
Second, licenses are open and thus have few restrictions on their use and the deployment of applications based on the FOSS technology. It is possible to develop and deploy LAMP-based projects without paying any license fees for distributing the software, and this, again, makes it popular for both hobbyists and professionals alike.
Third, and a major reason for the growth and use of FOSS technology (including LAMP), is that because users have access to the source it is much easier to fix faults and improve the applications. In combination with the open license, this simplifies the development process for many enterprises and gives them flexibility that simply isn't available within the confines of a proprietary or commercial-based product.
LAMP Stack in Your Business
Choosing to use LAMP in your business is not about cost — although many enterprises will be attracted to the low-cost required for both development and deployment. Instead, choosing LAMP for your organization is about the benefits it provides, as summarized below.
- Flexibility: There are no limits to what people can do with the LAMP stack, either technically or because of licensing restrictions. This allows people the flexibility to build and deploy applications in a method that suits them, not the supplier of the technology they're using.
- Customization: Because LAMP components are open source, people have built up a huge array of additional components and modules that provide additional functionality. The open source approach enables people to do the same, customizing components and functionality to suit their needs.
- Ease of Development: People can write powerful applications using LAMP technology in relatively few lines of code.
- Ease of Deployment: With neither licensing issues nor the need to compile applications, deployment is often as easy as copying an application to a new host. Most hosting services provide LAMP-based environments as standard, or they can be deployed using a Linux distribution, such as Fedora or Debian.
- Security: With many eyes developing the software and years of use by a wide range of users and community groups, LAMP technology is secure and stable. Problems are normally fixed very quickly, and without the need for a costly support contract.
- Community and Support: A wide and experienced group of people is willing to provide help and support during the development and deployment of LAMP-based applications.
If you want a solution to the comprehensive data flow taking place throughout your organization and you want this solution in double quick time. In cases like these, where a business or an organization cannot dedicate a lot of time to problem solving, the LAMP stack is the preferred platform for development. This is because developers can build an application quickly and ensure its reliability and stability. It’s actually a win-win situation for both you and the developers. Both sides save time, and the well-defined development process ensures a highly efficient application.
LAMP is definitely popular, but not all developers are able to optimize its use. You need to be able to choose the kind of developer who is both an expert and experienced, on using the LAMP stack.