Apache and Tomcat

[Ed Carrington]

I see a site called Apache Tomcat: http://tomcat.apache.org/

Is it correct to say Apache Tomcat because I was wondering if Apache and Tomcat are the same or what the difference is?

[Bear Bibeault]

Apache is an umbrella for many projects. One of them is Tomcat. Another is the Apache Web Server, which is what people are usually referring to when they say just "Apache".

[Ed Carrington]

Originally posted by Bear Bibeault:
Apache is an umbrella for many projects. One of them is Tomcat. Another is the Apache Web Server, which is what people are usually referring to when they say just "Apache".

Thanks, I assume Tomcat is just a Web Container that sits on a Web Server which could be Apache Web Server or IIS or some other web server?

[Bear Bibeault]

Tomcat is a self-contained web server and servlet container. No other server is necessary. Tomcat can work with other web servers if necessary, in the cases where they do something that Tomcat itself cannot do (like ASP). This is becoming increasingly rare.
[ February 06, 2008: Message edited by: Bear Bibeault ]

[Ben Souther]

This is a common question so we've put together a faq that tries to answer it.
See:
http://faq.javaranch.com/java/WebVsApplicationServer

[Ed Carrington]

Bear and Ben,

Thanks!