Apache Cookbook

Apache Cookbook
| 2003-11-01 00:00:00 | | 254 | Apache


The Apache Cookbook is a collection of problems, solutions, and practical examples for webmasters, web administrators, programmers, and everyone else who works with Apache. For every problem addressed in the book, there's a worked-out solution or `recipe`-- short, focused pieces of code that you can use immediately. But this book offers more than cut-and-paste code. You also get explanations of how and why the code works, so you can adapt the problem-solving techniques to similar situations. The recipes in the Apache Cookbook range from simple tasks, such installing the server on Red Hat Linux or Windows, to more complex tasks, such as setting up name-based virtual hosts or securing and managing your proxy server. The impressive collection of useful code in this book is a guaranteed timesaver for all Apache users, from novices to advanced practitioners. Instead of poking around mailing lists, online documentation, and other sources, you can rely on the Apache Cookbook for quick solutions to common problems, and then you can spend your time and energy where it matters most.

User review
Cooking with Apache
The Apache Cookbook is a must have for anyone considering running their own Apache web server. It covers every major feature of Apache and does so without giving too information to the new user while giving more experienced users the guidance to go off on their own and become Apache power users in their own right.

User review
Great Apache Resource
Some of the reviews for 'Apache Cookbook: Solutions and Examples for Apache Administrators' have stated that this book is a little too basic and simple for Apache administrators out in the world, but I would disagree. Apache is a solid technology that has proven it's mettle in the world for many many many years but there aren't a whole lot of books out on the market for it. It is of this reviewers opinion that even if some individuals feel this book is too simplistic that ANY book on the market that covers Apache would have to be pretty poor to get a negative mark. With over 200 tidbits of information that cover the gambit of Installation, Module creation, Logging, Security, Virtual Hosts, Aliases, SSL, Error Handling, Performance, etc. etc. etc. this is a solid text. Unlike other bloated books this one clocks in at under 300 pages and the tidbits are short and to the point. If you are an Apache admin there is definitely something that you can get from this cookbook so get out the bowl, eggs, flour and start cooking!!


***** RECOMMENDED

User review
Great Resource!
Apache Cookbook is a great resource on various best-practice tips and tricks on how to setup and run Apache HTTP server day to day.


The included HOW-TO recipes are:

* Extremely practical and relevant

* Easy to follow and implement

* Well-explained so that not only do you know what you are doing, but also why you are doing it

* Neatly categorized and indexed so that they are easy to find when needed


While this book can be very useful to Apache novices, people who would benefit the most from it are the ones who've had some previous exposure to Apache administration and are familiar with the basic concepts behind Apache (configuration files, included programs, modules, directives, sections, and such).


If you are an Apache administrator, this book ought to be on your bookshelf.

User review
A little too basic for me
Beware that several of the cool sounding recipes you might see in the table of contents are tricks; once you actually turn to the correct page to see how the author has managed to implement something you might have formerly believed to be impossible, you will be greeted only by a placeholder paragraph stating that what you want to do IS in fact impossible. Why on Earth would you waste paper printing this?


The other, less cool, recipes are pretty standard faire, and if you have any experience with Apache whatsoever they will probably not be very useful to you. Complete newcomers however will probably find it somewhat handy, though I'm not sure it's worth the price even for them.

User review
Excellent resource for web masters
I read this book about a year ago and recently re-read it. Coar and Bowen provide an excellent pragmatic approach to taking care of common Apache administration tasks. The Apache `recipes` are well organized, and presented with sufficient depth to be understandable for intermedia users.


The tips in the `miscellaneous topics` section and the troubleshooting guidelines are excellent, and will save Apache administrators significant amounts of time and frustration.


The good:

* Broad coverage of all tasks that Apache administrators will commonly encounter.

* Excellent writing style - concise yet sufficiently descriptive.

* Good organization of topics and very useful book index.

* Very good coverage of virtual hosts (required in most web hosting environments).

* Very appropriate `see also` references associated with each recipe.


The bad:

* Almost 25% of the book is taken up by installation, loading modules, and logging. These are good topics, but they take up too much of the book in my perspective.

* No information on the use of mod_python. mod_snake (a dead sourceforge) project is referenced. Blech.

* No information on co-hosting two versions of PHP (PHP4 and PHP5 on the same server).


Overall, this is a great book. If it had slightly better coverage on mod_python and mod_PHP I would give it five stars for certain.