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linuxapache
Bialecki
Bialecki

Reputation: 31071

What does "apachectl" stand for? Why isn't it just "apache"?

This should be easy, just curious. I know "httpd" is the HTTP daemon, just curious what the relationship is between "httpd" and "apachectl."

Upvotes: 17

Views: 9658

Answers (5)

Valentin Rocher
Valentin Rocher

Reputation: 11669

httpd is the practical daemon. It's the part that really does the job. apachectl is how you can control this daemon, and do operations on it. It's merely a control interface, not the real program itself.

From the manpage :

apache2ctl is a front end to the Apache HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server. It is designed to help the administrator control the functioning of the Apache apache2 daemon.

(I have apache2 on my machine but it's the same thing)

Upvotes: 13

phihag
phihag

Reputation: 288240

The server binary itself is called httpd in the upstream distribution, but apache2 in others such as the debian package.

apachectl or apache2ctl (ctl stands for control) is a shell script that allows starting/stopping/etc. the bunch of httpd or apache2 processes.

Upvotes: 2

Milhous
Milhous

Reputation: 14653

apachectl - Apache HTTP server control interface

Looks like it is just an old naming convention.

Upvotes: 6

Eddie
Eddie

Reputation: 54421

The program apachectl helps control the Apache HTTPD daemon.

Upvotes: 2

James L
James L

Reputation: 16874

It's short for apache control(ler?). It tells apache what to do, but it isn't the service itself.

Upvotes: 23

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