Apache Tomcat Editor's Review

'Apache Tomcat' is a Web server that is developed by the Apache Software Foundation.

Apache Software Foundation is very well known for its Apache Web server. This program does almost the same thing, but it also has the support for running Java Servlets.

The Java Servlets technology provides a mechanism that extends the functionality of a Web server for the Web developers. Java Servlets work similarly to Java Applets, but they run on the server side.

The Apache Tomcat server implements the servlets and the JSP (JavaServer Pages). It also has a built-in compiler, which compiles the JSP into servlets. Therefore, it provides an environment that allows the Java code to run in cooperation with a Web Server.

This build is a cross-platform one, because it works on any platform that has Java Virtual Machine installed on. On Mac OS X, it's pretty easy to start the server. You just have to run the startup script from the shell. The file is very intuitively called startup.sh. Shutting down this server can be done by using the shutdown script, shutdown.sh.

Pluses: It's a free software (Open Source). It extends the usual functionality of a Web server. It's cross-platform.

Drawbacks / flaws:

In conclusion: It is a complete server solution that can be either used for Web developing or Web hosting.

version reviewed: 6.0.10