a patchy server

lore

web devops culture

The oldest explanation of how Apache got its name: it was a server made of patches.

The project's own FAQ said so from 1996 to 2001. Brian Behlendorf said in 2000 that the name honoured the Apache people, then said in 2007 that it was the patches after all, and the foundation today credits the tribe. Both stories are in the record and neither has been retracted cleanly, which is why this entry is marked disputed.

Disputed / commonly mistold A popular version of this story is inaccurate - see the note above.

Also known as: apache name origin, why apache is called apache

Sources

  • Apache Server FAQ, 1996-2001 - the 'patchy server' explanation
  • Brian Behlendorf interviews, 2000 and 2007 - which contradict each other

All glossary entries