Uvicorn vs lighttpd: What are the differences?

1. Server Type: Uvicorn is an ASGI server that runs Python web applications, while lighttpd is a lightweight and efficient web server that supports a variety of programming languages.
2. Concurrency Model: Uvicorn uses an asynchronous concurrency model, enabling it to handle multiple requests concurrently without blocking, while lighttpd uses a traditional threaded or event-driven concurrency model.
3. Ease of Configuration: Uvicorn allows for easy configuration through command-line arguments or a configuration file, making it convenient to set up and customize, whereas lighttpd typically requires manual configuration of its configuration file, making it less user-friendly for beginners.
4. TLS/SSL Support: Uvicorn does not natively support TLS/SSL encryption, so an additional reverse proxy server or middleware is needed to handle secure connections, whereas lighttpd includes built-in support for TLS/SSL, allowing it to handle secure connections without the need for external components.
5. Performance: Uvicorn is known for its high performance and scalability, as it is optimized for handling a large number of concurrent connections, while lighttpd is also efficient and lightweight but may not be as performant in certain scenarios.
6. Supported Platforms: Uvicorn is compatible with various operating systems and platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, while lighttpd is primarily designed for Unix-like systems, with limited or experimental support for other platforms.

In summary, Uvicorn is an ASGI server with an asynchronous concurrency model, while lighttpd is a lightweight web server that supports various programming languages. Uvicorn has easier configuration, requires additional components for TLS/SSL support, and excels in performance and platform compatibility.