In order to build web-driven applications, there should be some provisioning of server-side framework on top of advancements of codes to run on it. These codes generally consume APIs. Such circumstances called for a software stack that kind of streamlines the phases involved. And that’s why LAMP stack is popular. 

This proved to be a major reason behind the popularity of both LAMP and LAMP development services. However, there is still limitations in JavaScript pertaining to client and server-side scripting. This limitation subsequently made a potential replacement to LAMP equally popular – The MEAN stack. 

While LAMP is an acronym for Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP (or Perl, Python), MEAN stands for MongoDB, ExpressJS, AngularJS, and NodeJS. 

Let’s go through each in detail.

LAMP

The most conventional stack mode, the components of LAMP are all free and open source particularly useful for dynamic sites and applications. Linux is the working framework, Apache is the web server, MySQL as the relational database management system, and PHP (often substituted by Perl or Python) for the scripting language. 

Because of the open source nature of LAMP components, it’s very easy to find a developer with apt expertise in LAMP. They are incorporated into almost every Linux conveyance now, and can deliver solid, flexible and dynamic web applications. Owing to PHP’s popularity, LAMP is widely adopted by firms offering PHP development services as well. 

MEAN

It’s a JavaScript-fueled stack comprising of MongoDB database, ExpressJS as a flexible NodeJS framework, AngularJS for front-end framework, and a base stage of NodeJS runtime. Its primary benefit is the fact that it’s easy and fast to model with. 

With NodeJS, you can use JavaScript in the front-end and back-end which means you won’t have to learn a different language to get things done. 

Pros & Cons

One of the major benefits of LAMP stack is the result of its open source components. Using LAMP stack saves cost considerably. It can be used to build scalable applications, and is platform independent. The applications built with LAMP would also be secure and customizable. With its low cost and many benefits, LAMP grants higher ROI for businesses, particularly startups. 

MEAN on the other hand uses newer technologies, and its major benefit is the use of a single language in the front-end and back-end, making the code isomorphic. While LAMP’s MySQL is fit to handle large products, MEAN’s MongoDB can handle smaller ones efficiently. The open source components in MEAN is also one of the reasons behind the stack gaining momentum. 

Both has fair share of pros and cons. But ultimately, the choice depends on the application and its nature itself. Considering the fact that developers can use other more appropriate variants of MEAN and LAMP stack as they see fit for the project, we can’t clearly determine a victor.

LAMP has been around for a long time, and it’s still around for a reason. MEAN is relatively new and gaining traction while LAMP still holds on. The choice depends on the kind of application that needs to be developed. Both influence present day open source development services to a significant extent.