Apache HTTP Server

The Apache HTTP Server, commonly known as Apache, has been a cornerstone of web infrastructure since its creation in 1995 by the Apache Group. It dominated web server market share for over two decades and remains widely used today.

Apache uses a process-driven architecture with modules (mod_rewrite, mod_ssl, mod_proxy) that extend its capabilities. Its .htaccess files enable per-directory configuration without server restarts, making it popular in shared hosting environments. The Apache Software Foundation, which grew out of this project, now oversees hundreds of open-source projects.