difference between Linux and Windows hosting

[sidrazaheer]

Use windows hosting service if you have website or application to be hosted is based on microsoft softwares and products. Windows hosting is apt to host ASP.net applications or websites, Remote Database and others. Also windows hosting is expensive compared to linux hosting so choose windows hosting if necessary.

really an informative answer can you plz give its detail specially for linux hosting

[Lucifer12]

Windows hosting differs from Linux hosting in that a Windows server is a thing with a specific purpose (which can be further broken down into GUI, command line; file system; configuration). It's a cross between the device and the operating system. It has features that are unique to itself and its purpose. It means that it comes with certain pre-installed software/features that do not allow you to customize it as much as Linux servers. Since it was built to have a specific purpose, the installation of third-party software is much easier than on Linux servers. It is one of the main reasons why Windows hosting is more popular than Linux hosting and why people choose Windows over Linux hosting solutions when they need something simple like Wordpress or Drupal site hosting.

LINUX HOSTING

Most web hosting service providers offer two kinds of hosting: Linux and Windows. In general, Linux hosting refers to shared hosting, the most popular hosting service in the industry. Most websites are now hosted using Linux hosting due to its affordable price and flexibility. In addition, Linux hosting is compatible with PHP and MySQL, which supports scripts such as WordPress, Zen Cart, and phpBB.

WINDOWS HOSTING

On the other hand, Windows hosting uses Windows as the servers' operating system and offers Windows-specific technologies such as ASP, .NET, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL).

Linux-Specific Applications

While a free and open-source platform, Linux has remained an industry standard and is the most commonly used operating system today. It is the most popular operating system of choice for web servers and has more features than professional web designers expect.

There isn't much you can't do on a Linux server. In fact, as a novice user, you'd be hard-pressed to find a reason not to use one. That being said, below are a few specific applications that require Linux OS.

Applications that require a Linux-based server:

• SSH
• Scripts or applications that need specific Apache modules

Windows-Specific Applications

Although a standard operating system for web development, Windows is not commonly needed for most average hosting users. Generally speaking, Windows OS users have specific requirements for doing so. In most cases, especially in the shared hosting environment, you will be fine using the Linux OS.

Since most Windows users know that they need one, we won't go too deep into why. However, below is a list of applications that require you to have a Windows server. If you are not running one of the applications below, you should be okay using a Linux OS.

Windows applications that require a Windows server:

• ASP Classic
• MSSQL (Microsoft SQL Server)
• MS Access (Microsoft Access)
• Visual Basic Development
• Remote Desktop (dedicated server only)

Windows Dedicated Servers can support additional Windows-specific applications. You may need to purchase a license and install the software on your Windows dedicated server for some applications.