Which os to choose?

Hi,

I am going to set up a public web hosting using CWP. I want to decide which os i should choose. I don't want to update my os for the next 4 years. Should I go for AlmaLinux 8 now? Since EL9 is in beta stage right now, I am confused. I will use other apps too on the same server, so I am comfortable with AlmaLinux only.

Thanks for your reply in advance.

CWP recommends AlmaLinux 8.x, problem with that is it's in it's 'Security Support" phase until May 2029.

AlmaLinux 9.x works fine with CWP, as long as you don't need PHP lower than 7.4.x and/or don't need the migration tool (that's still buggy)

I would (and do) start with AlmaLinux 8 -- fully supported, best experience -- no real caveats or gotchas. Then there is a clear path forward to upgrade to AlmaLinux 9 at any point in your 4 year window, as long as the security update phase is appropriate for your use case. (It is for mine!) CWP's EL9 support it in a workable beta state at this point and the bugs should be ironed out by the time you need to upgrade -- probably likewise into the security update phase of AlmaLinux 9!

So, if I start with AlmaLinux 8 by now, will I be able to update to AlmaLinux 9 when EL9 of CWP becomes stable without breaking anything?

But if you don't need CWP Migration nor PHP 5.6 legacy, then you could start with Alma 9, which would give you the longest window -- almost 7 years without having to worry about upgrades:
https://endoflife.date/almalinux