Definition: A free and open-source software package primarily used for developing and testing web servers. It combines multiple technologies into one package, including Apache (a web server), MariaDB (a database), PHP (a scripting language), and Perl (a programming language). The X at the beginning stands for "cross-platform".
Key Features:
Portability: Can run on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Simplicity: Provides an easy way to launch a web server and associated services with just a few clicks.
Comprehensive: Contains all the necessary tools to develop dynamic web pages and database applications.
Common Applications:
Local Web Development: Creating and testing websites on a local computer before going live.
Database Management: Using MariaDB or similar database systems for data management.
Script Testing: Checking and developing PHP or Perl scripts.