The LAMP stack (Linux, Apache Web server, MySQL database, and Perl, PHP, and Python scripting languages) consists of open source technologies that are making inroads to mainstream corporate enterprise software development. Advocates regard LAMP as advantageous because it lowers costs, increases flexibility, and has faster enhancements to component technologies. A spokesman for MySQL says the platform is user-friendly and reliable. Although companies have been using LAMP for smaller-scale development of Web databases and other applications, vendors have been increasing functionality, easing information flow between them, and providing technical support desired by companies for their applications. Among companies using LAMP for large Web applications are Google, Yahoo!, Lufthansa, and the Sabre Travel Network. Linux is the LAMP operating system (OS), and the Apache Web server runs on most UNIX based operating systems (OSs), some UNIX/Posix-based systems, including BeOS, some Windows versions, and a few other OSs. Apache runs on 69.6% of Web servers, based on a July 2005 survey by Internet services company NetCraft. mySQL is used by about 6 million applications, such as data warehouses, data warehouses, e-commerce systems, and distributed applications. The PHP, Perl, and Python Scripting languages are interpreted and dynamic and work with data at runtime. However, in contrast to low-level programming languages, scripting languages are easier to learn and use, quicker to write and debug, more efficient, and portable. Topics covered are cost advantages of LAMP, LAMP's open source avoidance of single-vendor lock-in, Sun Microsystems efforts to make its Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE) easier for deployment, and LAMP developments.