What server software is best for experimenting with PHP?

[GrefMofovich]

The book I have lists Internet Information Services (IIS), Apache,
Sambar and OmniHTTPD as choices for server software. Can anyone run down the +'s and -'s of those for a complete newb? Like are they very expensive, and how easy are they to set up/work with. Thanks!

[CompGeek01]

Apache:

+Free
+Secure
+Easy
+Works for just about every known platform
+Used by a LOT of people, so help is easy to find.

IIS:

+ Works with Frontpage extensions and other Windows-only extensions
- Not Free (Unless you have a server version of Windows)
+- Fairly secure for MS.
- Windows Only
- Less support

As for the other two...I haven't used Sambar...but the Pro version is $99 and the free versions looks to have a bunch of newly "fixed" security holes. OmniHTTPD is probably pretty good, but I don't think it's going to be as good/patched as quickly as Apache.

Most of this is opinions though, I've been using Apache for a while now and I love it.

[rraehal]

I second the apache option.

If you have windows XP pro or windows 2000 pro you can install a 10 user version of IIS by going to add/remove programs and selecting widnows components. Once the dialog comes up IIS is an option.