The Appweb project has released version 3.0 of its cross-platform, dual-licensed embedded web server, which is said to be smaller, faster, and more modular. The Linux-compatible Appweb 3.0 also adds a new server-side “Ejscript” JavaScript framework, faster CGI based on pipes, and a modular pipeline architecture, says the project.

Sponsored by Embedthis Software, which also offers commercial support and licenses for Appweb, the lightweight web server is licensed under GPLv2. The embedded web server has long supported Linux, and has previously been referred to by lead developer Michael O'Brien (who also developed the GoAhead web server) as a "Mini-Apache".

Over the years, the server has added support for Windows XP and Vxworks, and with version 3.0 now supports Windows CE, Windows 7, Vista, Mac OS X, and Free BSD. Binary packets are supplied for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X.

Appweb 3.0 architecture

Appweb 3.0 requires only 800KB of memory, and now offers a request-processing pipeline that is said to be twice as fast on many operations. Smaller and more modular, the new version is also touted as having a more flexible build configuration.

The new Ejscript web framework for server-side JavaScript is said to comply with the ECMAscript 3 spec. Other new features include SQLite integration with database ORM layer, and faster, enhanced CGI, using pipes for I/O transfer.

Additional new features in Appweb 3.0 are said to include:

• Integrated model/view/controller web framework
• "Angel" process to monitor Appweb and restart if required
• Updates for PHP, OpenSSL, and MatrixSSL
• XML parser for SOAP and RESTful web services
• New support for Windows CE, Windows 7, Vista, FreeBSD, MAC OS X
• OpenWrt platform support
• IPv6 network support (client and server)
• Project files for MAC OS X code and Microsoft Visual Studio

Availability

Appweb 3.0 is available now for free download. More information may be found here (release notes) and here (announcement), and download packages and instructions may be found here.

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