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the 'glue' that makes a database-driven website do what it should. However,<br />
the two languages, are very different: Perl is powerful but hard to read, while<br />
PHP is simpler but more limited. Choosing between them is largely a matter<br />
of preference, which is why they're both included in the system – some<br />
people also include a third P, Python, as an alternative language.<br />
If you're starting out, it's probably best to use PHP – the official site at<br />
php.net has good tutorials and references on the language. Perl's site is at<br />
www.perl.org, but you should only really start with Perl if you've got some<br />
previous programming experie<br />
Getting LAMP.<br />
If you want to get the whole LAMP system together instead of downloading<br />
the components separately, a good place to go is www.apachefriends.org/en.<br />
They offer it for download – don't worry, all the software is free. You don't<br />
get Linux, but you get everything else, and it will install easily on most<br />
operating systems, including Linux and Windows.<br />
LAMP Variants.<br />
There are a number of LAMP variants that replace parts of the system. While<br />
these systems aren't as popular, they're still worth knowing about and<br />
considering.<br />
WAMP: Windows replaces Linux.<br />
MAMP: Mac OS replaces Linux.<br />
AMP: Apache, MySQL and Perl/PHP running on any operating system.<br />
LAPP: PostgreSQL replaces MySQL.<br />
LAMJ: JSP replaces Perl/PHP.<br />
There is also the insulting-sounding term WIMP, which means that Windows<br />
replaces Linux and IIS replaces Apache – this is considered to result in a<br />
much worse system than LAMP.<br />
IIS and ASP: Microsoft's Server.<br />
Despite Microsoft's dominance of everything to do with computers, their<br />
web server software sits on a relatively low 20% market share, thanks to the<br />
The Web Design Guide for Newbies |60