LAMP vs MEAN: Which Stack Is Right for You? - (r)
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This article analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each stack to help you choose the right option for your particular project.
The Correct Stack for the Right Project
It's crucial to understand that there is no objective "best" technological stack -- only the best one that meets your particular needs. The following sections explore the background, components and usage cases for LAMP and MEAN to assist you in making a a more informed decision.
What exactly is a Stack?
LAMP is an extensively used, traditional platform that has been in use since 1998. As one of the first technology stacks, LAMP is well-regarded for its stability and support for numerous web software and frameworks. The PHP-based framework is suitable for small, system that are driven by content.
The primary components are:
- Linux -- Linux is the operating system of the LAMP stack (OS). It is free and open source. Linux is an extremely popular option among developers. They can pick any version they want, optimized for any task.
What is a MEAN Stack?
MEAN is an older technology stack. It was first released by Valeria Karpov in 2013 and has grown in popularity ever since. This stack can handle large amounts of connections concurrently, making it great for big-scale real-time apps powered by data.
The main components of it are:
Comparing the LAMP and MEAN Stacks
While you can use both LAMP and MEAN for running dynamic web-based applications, they're each better suited for different types of software. So, it's crucial to understand the differences between the two stacks to pick the right one for your application.
Ecosystems, Languages, and Ecosystems
When choosing a tech stack, consider the programming language that you are most familiar with or which may be more a breeze to master. Using your preferred language can help improve your motivation and efficiency.
Database Systems
MEAN and LAMP offer two completely different database options that are default. LAMP primarily uses MySQL which is a well-known and reliable relational database that stores data in tables using the predefined schema. However, MEAN uses MongoDB, which is a scalable NoSQL database that stores information in collections.
The key difference between these two systems is scaling. MongoDB permits easy horizontal scaling by sharding that involves the distribution of data over multiple servers. On the other hand, MySQL allows for vertical scaling that involves introducing additional resources like CPU, memory, or capacity for disks for the server. Although vertical scaling is simpler and more straightforward than sharding, it's much more expensive and limited in its effectiveness.
Scalability and Performance
The LAMP platform has been refined by developers over the years to offer superior performance for a wide range of platforms, such as popular ones such as WordPress and Joomla. However, applications that have a lot of traffic might be unable to run certain applications.
MySQL may have trouble scaling beyond a certain point and thereby limiting the stack's capacity. Apache is also unable to manage large numbers of concurrent connections, which can cause further performance issues.
Furthermore, MEAN offers enhanced performance in all kinds of applications thanks to its non-blocking I/O and asynchronous processing in Node.js. This high concurrency allows the MEAN stack to manage many requests at once without affecting performance. MongoDB's horizontal scaling also makes it well-suited for handling huge amounts of information.
Use Cases to use LAMP and MEAN Stacks
Both stacks come with their advantages and disadvantages, the most important factor when choosing which one to use is what you'll be employing them for. Although LAMP and MEAN can build similar applications both have distinct advantages.
LAMP stack use cases
The LAMP stack should be used for small to medium websites and web applications, however it is able to handle bigger sites with some extra preparation.
The combination of Linux and Apache provides stability and security that these use cases rely on. Additionally, you can make use of PHP to build and implement specific features, such as payment gateways as well as plugins. PHP's robust database is perfectly suited to the information these websites produce.
MEAN stack use cases
Its MEAN stack is especially well-suited to single-page websites (SPAs) and Web-based apps with real-time features. Node.js excels in handling live-time communications with WebSockets, while Angular can provide a quick loading speed and simple maintenance.
MEAN can also be used to create large-scale and high-data-intensive apps, thanks to MongoDB's horizontal scaling and non-blocking I/O method used by Node.js. Finally, as an application stack running with JavaScript, MEAN is great to use for complete-stack JavaScript development. The use of a single language for the entire application allows it to be much more simple to create and maintain.
Tech Stacks and
Summary
LAMP is an established tech stack that is renowned for its flexibility and wealth of sources. But, as the trends in web development evolve, LAMP has faced increased competition in recent years. Modern stacks based on the same programming language make it simpler and faster. MEAN combines the flexibility of JavaScript, the scalability of MongoDB, and the concurrency of Node.js to form a robust stack that can be used for projects of any dimension.
Ultimately, the choice of LAMP and MEAN will depend on your specific specifications for the project, your preferences in terms of language and the scalability demands.
Marcia Ramos
I'm the editor's team lead at . I'm a open source enthusiast and I love coding. More than seven years experience in technical writing and editing for the tech industry, I love collaborating with people to create short and precise documents and to improve processes.