Apache is a popular open-source Web server that currently powers more than half of all websites. Originally developed by programmers who were using a Web server daemon called httpd, developed at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
These programmers fixed errors in httpd and modified it by releasing a series of software patches. Over time, they had created a more sophisticated Web server, which they called because it was “a patchy” version of httpd.
These programmers went on to found The Software Foundation, which creates a wide range of open-source software and tools. An additional reason for Apache’s popularity is the program’s excellent reputation for security; when security holes appear, the community quickly develops solutions that are immediately available on the Internet. See open-source software (OSS), Web server.
