How To Build the Apache of Your Dreams

Cool article. All this while i just install apache by following people's instructions and never getting to know more on modules.
However, you did not state clearly on how to install extra module when needed or delete some module when you don't feel like having it. For example, when i wan't to use mod_php, but i didn't install it during the initial installation. Or later i don't want the php after a while. How to uninstall it?
Thank you

While I like how easy it is to compile Apache these days, I do not care for the command-line configuration. If a person ends up changing many options or enabling/disabling many modules beyond the defaults, the command line can get VERY HAIRY very quickly. I preferred the days of just editing a config file that had explanations for each option in comments above the option.

Yes, yes, I know, I can still do things the old way using the Configuration file in the src subdirectory. However I've run into troubles now and then when adding 3rd party modules using the old configuration file method.

So nowadays I end up just writing a shell script configuration file that generates the command-line configuration command. It works and gives me the flexibility of the old configuration method without the slight incompatibilities with the 3rd party modules I use.

Now if only PHP's autoconfiguration script would work correctly. What a buggy setup that is. Ug! I never have liked GNU autoconf stuff because it tends to miss obvious locations of libraries on BSD systems. Grrrrr.

Darren,
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Would you stop telling people to place their source in /tmp directory? It's a bad practice and odd things can happen easily. A proper location should be -> /usr/local/src
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In addition, your "Apache Module Registry" page is in wrong order, it should be placed prior to "Building Apache, really". The reason is that you are telling people not to use DSO method, so to add new modules from the module registry page, they have to recompile apache which is not the appropriate way to go these days. There are tons of new modules and updates frequently, so people often would like to keep up the pace and installing new modules.
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Other than these two, this article is just okay. If anyone has questions regarding to Apache, please check out the Apache forum here instead.

Good point. I do the same; you'll usually find that I've dumped a file called config.sh in any Autoconf'd source directory.

It occurs that Autoconf has enough information to run interactively: it has parameters, descriptions of those parameters and default values. Wouldn't it be nice if you could do ./configure --menu or ./configure --xmenu

I found this article to be informative. I have one question.
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What modules one should compile for an ISP site where several customers may have Virtual Sites?
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Is there any other advice for this type of ISP site?

I will be interested in looking into one of these scripts you mention. My email is: kbajwa@tib.com
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Thanks..

Is there any info out there about getting apache server up on a CDROM. In other words, just pop the cd in, run a "little" install app and bam, your content can be served locally from the CDROM drive.
thanks, ty

please give me all the API's of apache modules.

Generally if this is what you want you don't want to build Apache at all. Simply use one of the binaries (ever CD I've seen has this on it). If you can't find it on the CD there are Binary versions on the apache website (http://apache.org) Just download it point and click and you'll have a webserver running. (though it'll have all the default mods and you won't have a chance to install your own).

Carl P.

Kirti,

You sound like your in the same boat as I.

What I re-learned after reviewing this site is "understand what I want to do" then go shopping. Back in the early 80's there was a saying "know what software you need to get the job done then purchase the hardware needed to make it happen." In my case I came acrossed a couple urls that helped me with my shopping list.

1. http://jakarta.apache.org/
2. http://modules.apache.org/

JSP is something of interest to me and after reviewing the pages these 2 site offered I have completed my shopping list.

What I guess I trying to tell you Kirti, is there are no easy answers but if you know what questions to ask the answers are there to be had.

peace.

LB.

Ty,

I too would like to run Apache directly from a CDROM. Did Carl's advice help? If you were able to get Apache running from a CD, please let me know.

hi,

i am a newbie in linux field i had installed apache with all the specific modules like mod_perl, mod_jserv, mod_throttle, mod_status and lot many more. but i dont know how to test there proper working. could u please throw some light regarding this issue. i am using RH linux 6.2.

wiating for u r reply,
regards,
A.C

Does anybody know a way I can get rid of the annoying MSDOS apache server window to hide or go into the systray? its really annoying sitting down there :-/

gunzip -c apache_1.3.12.tar.gz | tar xf -
can be replaced with
tar xfz apache_1.3.12.tar.gz

hello, althogh windows is looked as the devil,whith out windows i would not b able to do what i'm doing.

So what next? it seems to me most people who are anti windows are computer literate,
and don't seem to think much of those who are scared to even turn ON a computer.
On the windows front -it seems all they think about is the $.

I live in a very poor community and very few are online( ntl won't even bother putting in cables)
So we have 3 choices
1-free ware ,which means (at the moment),going to university to learn coding.
2-windows which means having money
3-stealing windows so you can at leat play the internet game.

where i live hulme/mosside manchester uk.
people don't have a chance of getting online
unless like we are doing at the moment which is building community INTRANETS.or they go and steal to pay for the price of everything,this will never happen as the money made by the poor is for more important things like FOOD for instance.

The snobery of freeware must stop + windows $$$$$must stop
the internet must be free for at least the initial stage of connection/operating system and basic utilities,bells and knobs u pay for.I mean whats this $70 for a domain?it is taking advantage of people not knowing where they can get the same thing for $10.

OK my point being is don't look down on the computer iliterate, MAKE THINGS IN FREEWARE EASY TO USE.
eg: apache web server-when you install and then click on the browser the page say's great youve done it-now do what u want to the page,-- it dosn't say PUT YOUR INDEX.HTML PAGE "HERE" where ever here might be ,there version of here is in the temp files which will never work.
They are only computer illiterate because they can't afford to learn and in doing so are falling behind the rest of the world through being computer illiterate (AND YES I KNOW MY SPELLING IS CRAP)
GED