The Apache HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol

The Hypertext Transfer Protocol is a networking protocol for distributed, collaborative, hypermedia information systems. HTTP is the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web....

 Server, commonly referred to as Apache (ə), is web server

Web server

Web server can refer to either the hardware or the software that helps to deliver content that can be accessed through the Internet....

 software notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web

World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...

. In 2009 it became the first web server software to surpass the 100 million website milestone. Apache was the first viable alternative to the Netscape Communications Corporation web server (currently named Oracle iPlanet Web Server

Oracle iPlanet Web Server

Oracle iPlanet Web Server is a web server designed for medium and large business applications. Oracle iPlanet Web Server builds on the earlier Sun ONE Web Server, iPlanet Web Server, and Netscape Enterprise Server products....

), and since has evolved to rival other web servers in terms of functionality and performance.