What is the difference between Apache HTTP Server and Apache Tomcat?

Apache HTTP Server and Apache Tomcat are both powerful and widely used open-source web servers, but they serve different purposes and are often used in conjunction to create a complete web application stack. Here are the key differences between Apache HTTP Server and Apache Tomcat:

1. Primary Purpose:

• Apache HTTP Server (often referred to as Apache):

  • Role: Apache HTTP Server is a general-purpose web server designed to handle HTTP requests and serve static content, such as HTML pages, images, and CSS files.
  • Functionality: It primarily serves as a static content web server and can handle dynamic content through modules like mod_php, mod_perl, or FastCGI when integrated with scripting languages like PHP or Perl.

• Apache Tomcat (often referred to as Tomcat):

  • Role: Apache Tomcat is a servlet container and JSP (JavaServer Pages) container that executes Java servlets and JSP pages. It is designed to handle Java-based dynamic content.
  • Functionality: Tomcat is used to run Java web applications, providing an environment for the execution of Java code on the server side.

2. Language and Content Handling:

• Apache HTTP Server:

  • Languages: Supports a wide range of languages and technologies for serving dynamic content, including PHP, Perl, and others.
  • Static Content: Efficiently serves static content like HTML, images, and CSS.

• Apache Tomcat:

  • Languages: Primarily designed for Java-based web applications. Executes Java servlets and JSP pages.
  • Dynamic Content: Specialized in handling dynamic content generated by Java-based applications.

3. Connector and Integration:

• Apache HTTP Server:

  • Connectors: Connects to servlet containers or application servers like Apache Tomcat using connectors like mod_proxy or mod_jk.
  • Integration: Often used as a front-end server, forwarding dynamic content requests to a servlet container.

• Apache Tomcat:

  • Stand-Alone: Can be used as a stand-alone server but is commonly integrated with Apache HTTP Server or other web servers for serving static content.

4. Protocol Handling:

• Apache HTTP Server:

  • Protocols: Handles HTTP and, with additional modules, can handle other protocols like HTTPS, FTP, etc.
  • Static Content: Efficiently serves static content using the HTTP protocol.

• Apache Tomcat:

  • Protocols: Primarily designed to handle HTTP and HTTPS protocols.
  • Dynamic Content: Focuses on serving dynamic content generated by Java applications using the servlet and JSP technologies.

5. Configuration and Administration:

• Apache HTTP Server:

  • Configuration: Configured using the Apache configuration files (e.g., httpd.conf).
  • Administration: Has a robust set of tools for server configuration and administration.

• Apache Tomcat:

  • Configuration: Configured through XML files, primarily server.xml and web.xml.
  • Administration: Provides a management interface (Tomcat Manager) for deploying and managing web applications.

6. Use Cases:

• Apache HTTP Server:

  • Use Cases: Suitable for serving static content and acting as a reverse proxy for dynamic content.
  • Common Scenarios: Used in conjunction with application servers like Apache Tomcat, Nginx, or others.

• Apache Tomcat:

  • Use Cases: Specifically designed for running Java-based web applications, including servlets and JSP pages.
  • Common Scenarios: Used as the application server for Java web applications.

7. Community and Development:

• Apache HTTP Server:

  • Community: Large and active community with extensive documentation and third-party modules.
  • Development: Continuously developed and maintained.

• Apache Tomcat:

  • Community: Active community with a focus on Java web development.
  • Development: Continuously developed and maintained, often aligned with Java EE specifications.

Summary:

In summary, while both Apache HTTP Server and Apache Tomcat are crucial components in web development, they serve different roles. Apache HTTP Server is a versatile web server that excels at serving static content and can handle dynamic content through various modules. Apache Tomcat, on the other hand, is specifically designed for executing Java-based web applications, providing a servlet and JSP container. In many scenarios, these two servers are used together, with Apache HTTP Server serving as the front-end server and forwarding dynamic content requests to Apache Tomcat.