1. Apache .htaccess Intro, Tutorial
Intro Apache .htaccess
The .htaccess file:
- contains configuration directives
- allows you to override configuration directives per directory level
- scope: directory level and its subtree (placed in a directory, the directives apply to that directory and all its subdirectories)
.htaccess = server manipulation
Any valid directive placed in a .htaccess file can be placed in the server's core configuration file (httpd.conf).
Warning
Using the .htaccess files slows down your Apache http server.
Use it ONLY WHEN you DON'T have access to the main server configuration file (usually httpd.conf): e.g. shared hosting environements
Video demonstration Intro .htaccess
Intro .htaccess Tutorial
min | video details |
---|---|
00:01 | Intro .htaccess Tutorial /Apache 2.2 |
00:05 | 1. Create the file: |
00:05 | The .htaccess file ca be created using a free text editor like Notepd++ |
00:13 | it contains valid directives |
00:18 | 2. Save the file: |
00:18 | it must be saved with the AccessFileName: by deault it's: .htaccess |
00:30 | if the AccessFileName is for example (.zzz), you'll save the file with the name .zzz |
00:42 | 3. Usage: |
00:42 | The .htaccess file allows you to make server configuration changes (set, override directives..) on a per-directory basis |
00:51 | example: lets override the 'Allow from all' directive (httpd.conf) to 'Deny from all' (.htaccess) |
00:59 | the 'Allow from all' directive (httpd.conf) allows everyone's access to the server |
01:04 | while 'Deny from all' (.htaccess) will override the 'Allow from all' directive (httpd.conf), denying everyone's access to the server |
01:12 | 4. Effect: |
01:12 | the .htaccess file takes effect once uploaded on server in the desired directory |
01:17 | 'Deny from all' directive (.htaccess) denies everyone's access to the server |
01:21 | 5. Scope: |
01:21 | placed in a directory (htdocs in our case), the directives apply to that directory and all its subdirectories: e.g. dirA, images, ... |
01:30 | Note: the access to dirA is forbidden (403) |
01:34 | when placed only inside the dirA, the directives will apply to dirA and all its subdirectories (dirB), and will not apply to htdocs directory |
01:42 | the access to dirA, dirB is forbidden, while the access to localhost (htdocs) is allowed |
01:50 | 6. Occurrences: |
01:50 | 1 .htaccess file per directory allowed |
02:00 | 7. Observations: |
02:00 | any valid directive placed in a htaccess file can be placed inside the server's core configuration file (httpd.conf) |
02:06 | if you don't have access to the server's core configuration file (usually this happens in shared hosting environements), then you'll use the .htaccess file to manipulate the server, this with a small performance cost |
For more information about the apache.org
file, please see the spec: