which Linux for PHP/MySQL?

[macdar]

Hi,
I've got very simple question:
what kind of Linux, would you recommend me? I want to have php/mysql enabled..
Which OS is the best?

thanks.

[MattyMoose]

<sarcasm>
Uh oh...

Why would you bring down the wrath of the "Distro Gods" upon yourself? ;)
</sarcasm>

It depends... On many things. Most of all, on how comfortable you are in various environments. Example being: If you can't be without a GUI and desktop manager on your server, then go with RedHat AS or similar. If you don't need X (Free/Org) installed, and are happy doing things in the command line, then look at Slackware or the like.

Other things depend as well, such as support, updates, package management, etc.

Consider other operating systems for your needs as well, such as Free/Net/Open*BSD, and see if they "fit" you as well.

I usually suggest to people that they should download the ISOs for various distros, burn them to CD, and try them out for a week. It takes time to do that, but as many people have discovered, it's easier to do the research now, see how it "feels" first, than to go with RH or SuSe, or whatever, just because someone said it was "the best", and find out that you love the simplicity of Slackware much more, and having to switch everything over.

I often think of choosing an OS is like buying a car. You wouldn't go and buy XYZ car because someone said it was "the best" without trying it out for yourself first, right?

Cheers!
-MM

[StupidScript]

macdar, most (all?) Linux distros have PHP and mySQL available during installation of the OS. The different distros have different performance characteristics, depending on your programming style, the server's configuration, the type of load it's handling, etc.etc.

I am in agreement that picking a "best" is tough, and that you should try a few before committing to one or the other. Personally, I really like Fedora Core 2, with Red Hat running a close second. But some of my geeky friends really like Mandrake or SuSE, and I've had great experiences with FreeBSD and BigSlack, too.

Sample from the buffet ... then load up your plate!

(ISOs for most distros can be downloaded from here [linuxiso.org].)

[encyclo]

I would also ask:

Which version of Apache (1.3.x or 2.0.x)?

Which version of PHP (4.3 or 5.0)?

Which version of MySQL (3.x or 4.x)?

Is this for a test server or a live one?

Is the server going to just run these services and nothing else, or will it have other tasks?

All the standard Linux distributions can do this particular job with ease - Linux cut it's teeth as a web server OS. The choice of distribution depends therefore on other factors.

[wheel]

Baaah. I'll answer your question :).

For php/mysql, it doesn't matter what distro you use. They'll all work.

The common distros for non-hardcore are (I think) Suse, Fedora-Redhat, and Mandrake. Any one of the three is likely to do the job for you.

I use Mandrake on both my desktop and server and personally prefer it.

[bakedjake]

All the standard Linux distributions can do this particular job with ease

encyclo said it best - they'll all work fine.