Is there any major difference between XAMPP and LAMP?

Question

Recently I sent my CV to a small company which required a web developer, but one condition was that I should know how to work with LAMP. So I took part in the contest, but today I started to wonder if those packages are as similar as I think.

So, are they?

I am using: XAMPP (Basispaket) version 1.7.1 on Windows 7 and planning to install LAMP on Ubuntu 10.04 (don't know the version yet).

UPDATE: I read some articles about LAMP setup and I only found, that you just need to separately install Apache, PHP, and MySQL. I'm confused; so isn't there's any control panel like in XAMPP? If so, then I'm asking about those major differences.

Medea

Answer 1

LAMP is an acronym for Linux (operating system), Apache HTTP Server, MySQL (database software), and PHP. If you're running Windows the acronym is WAMP.

XAMPP is a package you can use to easily install and configure a (in your case) WAMP or LAMP setup. If they are asking LAMP they probably expect some Linux and Apache knowledge, but it could also be they are just expecting a PHP programmer with MySQL skills. You'll find out what they're looking for in the job interview ;).

Southwester

Hmm. Strange. I thought, that LAMP and XAMPP are one and the same, with one difference, that XAMPP (X - stands for any OS) and LAMP (L - stands for Linux OS). It all goes for WAMP and MAMP as well. No? – Medea

XAMPP is the specific name for the package by Apache Friends (apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html). LAMP, WAMP, MAMP, SAMP, FAMP, and OpAMP (I'm probably still forgetting some... ;)) are acronyms to indicate a certain web server set-up. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAMP_(software_bundle) for more information. I'm sure XAMP (note the missing P at the end) is used as a synonym for AMP though. AMP indicating the Apache, MySQL, and PHP (or Perl or Python) stack on top of some OS. – Southwester

Unfortunately I cannot comment on the answer below by James Anderson so here's my reply to your follow-up question Eugene. Yes, it will still be called LAMP. It's just an acronym for a certain combination of software making up your web server stack. – Southwester

And do I understad correctly, that LAMP doesn't have a control panel like XAMPP (At least XAMPP under Windows. Don't know about other OS.)? – Medea

Correct. Although you are of course free to install some kind of control panel (like for instance WebMin webmin.com). These control panels are usually aimed at managing more than just the LAMP stack though. The term LAMP doesn't really say anything about stuff like control panels, it's just short hand for a certain set-up. Software like XAMPP can help you quickly set up an AMP stack. – Southwester

Answer 2

LAMP and WAMP are generic terms for any Apache web server, MySQL database, and Perl or PHP or Python language, based system.

XAMPP is a specific software package that contains all the elements of an *AMP system in a single package. There are several packages like this (WampServer to name one).

The software install process on Ubuntu is so straightforward that many people prefer to install the components individually and run a leaner and meaner setup.

Tanjatanjore

So if I install them individually, then it still will be LAMP or just individuall packages? – Medea

Answer 3

If someone asks about LAMP skills, and you have been using WAMP, it only needs you to learn Linux to make up the stack since there is no complete pack for LAMP as there is with XAMPP and WAMP.

So here the issue is all about your ability to configure the Apache server, the MySQL database with PHP on a Linux system period. Any recruiter will look for that. In fact, since you're considering learning Linux just install XAMPP, dig into it, and go prove to them your LAMP skills.

Dentilingual

Learning Linux for the first time may be a non-trivial gap for some people. The company probably expects to have some of your time just be learning, but maybe not fully allocated to someone who may not have run ls before (in general, not sure about OP's knowledge). I'd still apply, at least it will tell you where you are. – Stateroom