Is using distro-bundled LAMP the best choice? [closed]

I am wondering - it is better to use distribution-provided LAMP stack or install it on my own? I mean, is it ok just to use apt-get install apache2 (...) or it is better to just download the software, unpack it in your own directory?

The definition of better - it is hard topic, after all. Those LAMP stack is to be placed as one of many services on the same machine, open to world by some reverse-proxy (nginx?). I may want to end up using two or three different instances of Apache2 (shall I?). I like to manageability of applications contained within simple directory. Puff, and they are gone. I also think I may easily just create new user and restrict it to one and only one directory.

On the other hand, as a newbie I have a feeling that packages managers prepared everything in more secure way, thought about many problems I probably can't even think of. It is also much easier to keep up to date with just one command.

My question is - is using distro-default packages the way to go in my case?

Solution 1:

I don't want to sound patronising, but as you state, you're a newbie and I'd recommend a newbie to keep things as simple as possible and keep with the distro packages and capabilities. I personally recommend against running multiple instances of Apache on a server, if you need that kind of security, consider things like Xen, Kvm or even Docker.

That said, I work for a sysadmin company and we generally try to stay as true to a distro as possible. That's the easiest way to make use of the solutions a maintainer has already provided. But I admit, sometimes finding those solutions can be a bit of a challenge. Serverfault can help with that, though!