Can I Run Apache Web Server on My Windows XP?

The Apache Web server can be run on Windows XP.

The Apache Web server is an open-sourced, full-featured Web server. Originally developed for the Unix family of operating systems, developers have taken the service and ported it to other platforms, including Windows XP.

Xampp For Windows XP

Xampp is a free and open sourced distribution of the Apache Web server that runs under Windows XP. Xampp and the included modules turn your PC into a Web server that can host Web pages and run scripts just like a large Web host.

Function

Apache listens on specified network ports on your machine for requests. These requests might be for Web pages, FTP sessions or email. Once Apache sees a request, the program processes it or passes it off to a helper program and then sends the requested information back to the requester.

Benefits

Running Apache Web server on your own machine makes it easier to develop and test new Web pages or programs before deploying them to a larger host. By working directly on your machine, you do not have to upload files to a remote machine before testing them, and you have instant access to program and server logs directly on your desktop.

References

• Apache Friends: xampp
• Apache Software Foundation: The Apache HTTP Server Project