.htaccess and PHP

**Justin Koivisto** · Jul 17 '05, 05:43 AM

Re: .htaccess and PHP

Nel wrote:[color=blue]
> Just looking for some general advice on modifying the URL for php.
>
> I am using .htaccess to allow a web site to translate example.html to
> index.php?conte nt=example
> (below)
>
> ErrorDocument 404 http://www.example.com
> RewriteEngine on
> RewriteRule ^/?(.*).html$ /index.php?conte nt=$1 [L]
>
> Is there any downside to using this method. I just want to know before I
> roll it out over several other sites.[/color]

This is a similar approach to what I've used on a handful of sites
(20-30). I haven't experienced any downside to this yet - unless there
is a problem on the server with the mod_rewrite or you are going to a
server other than Apache like zues or *gasp* IIS - in which case you'd
have to hope that ISAPI_rewrite and whatever Zues uses is compatible
enough to get you through.

--
Justin Koivisto - spam@koivi.com
PHP POSTERS: Please use comp.lang.php for PHP related questions,
alt.php* groups are not recommended.

**Edward Alfert** · Jul 17 '05, 05:43 AM

Re: .htaccess and PHP

"Nel" <nelly@ne14.co. NOSPAMuk> wrote in news:DwGxc.1289 4$NK4.1841718
@stones.force9. net:
[color=blue]
> Just looking for some general advice on modifying the URL for php.
>
> I am using .htaccess to allow a web site to translate example.html to
> index.php?conte nt=example
> (below)
>
> ErrorDocument 404 http://www.example.com
> RewriteEngine on
> RewriteRule ^/?(.*).html$ /index.php?conte nt=$1 [L]
>
> Is there any downside to using this method. I just want to know[/color]
before I[color=blue]
> roll it out over several other sites.
>
> Nel.
>[/color]

Nel,

I use something similar.
1) I redirect alias domains and domains without www. in front to my main
domain using a 301 redirect which is what Google likes in order to
maintain pagerank.
2) I test to make sure the page being requested is not a file or
directory that exists. If it exists, then retrive the existing page.
This is nice in case you want to have a pages that are not part of your
content management system.
3) I don't just redirect pages with .html extensions. I redirect
everything into content management system and then the cms parses the
requested page and strips extensions, trailing slashes, etc.

Options +SymlinksIfOwne rMatch

RewriteEngine On

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.rootmode \.com
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www\.rootmode\. com/$1 [R=
301,L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -f [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -d
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ $1 [L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index\.php
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /index.php?page= $1 [L]

--
Edward Alfert

Brandable Domain Names | GigaNames

http://www.rootmode.com/

Multiple Domain Hosting and Reseller Hosting Plans
Coupon Code (Recurring $5/month Discount): newsgroup

**Chung Leong** · Jul 17 '05, 05:44 AM

Re: .htaccess and PHP

"Nel" <nelly@ne14.co. NOSPAMuk> wrote in message
news:DwGxc.1289 4$NK4.1841718@s tones.force9.ne t...[color=blue]
> Just looking for some general advice on modifying the URL for php.
>
> I am using .htaccess to allow a web site to translate example.html to
> index.php?conte nt=example
> (below)
>
> ErrorDocument 404 http://www.example.com
> RewriteEngine on
> RewriteRule ^/?(.*).html$ /index.php?conte nt=$1 [L]
>
> Is there any downside to using this method. I just want to know before I
> roll it out over several other sites.[/color]

Other then losing the ability to use regular .html files, there's no major
downside I can think of. Then again, there's little upside to doing things
this way. If you don't need to use Apache rewrite, my advise is to not use
it.

**Nel** · Jul 17 '05, 05:44 AM

Re: .htaccess and PHP

"Edward Alfert" <ealfert@rootmo de.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9503CBB 689139ealfertro otmodecom@130.1 33.1.4...[color=blue]
> "Nel" <nelly@ne14.co. NOSPAMuk> wrote in news:DwGxc.1289 4$NK4.1841718
> @stones.force9. net:
>[color=green]
> > Just looking for some general advice on modifying the URL for php.
> >
> > I am using .htaccess to allow a web site to translate example.html to
> > index.php?conte nt=example
> > (below)
> >
> > ErrorDocument 404 http://www.example.com
> > RewriteEngine on
> > RewriteRule ^/?(.*).html$ /index.php?conte nt=$1 [L]
> >
> > Is there any downside to using this method. I just want to know[/color]
> before I[color=green]
> > roll it out over several other sites.
> >
> > Nel.
> >[/color]
>
> Nel,
>
> I use something similar.
> 1) I redirect alias domains and domains without www. in front to my main
> domain using a 301 redirect which is what Google likes in order to
> maintain pagerank.
> 2) I test to make sure the page being requested is not a file or
> directory that exists. If it exists, then retrive the existing page.
> This is nice in case you want to have a pages that are not part of your
> content management system.
> 3) I don't just redirect pages with .html extensions. I redirect
> everything into content management system and then the cms parses the
> requested page and strips extensions, trailing slashes, etc.
>
>
>
> Options +SymlinksIfOwne rMatch
>
> RewriteEngine On
>
> RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.rootmode \.com
> RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www\.rootmode\. com/$1 [R=
> 301,L]
>
> RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -f [OR]
> RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -d
> RewriteRule ^(.*)$ $1 [L]
>
> RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index\.php
> RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /index.php?page= $1 [L]
>
>
> --
> Edward Alfert
> http://www.rootmode.com/
> Multiple Domain Hosting and Reseller Hosting Plans
> Coupon Code (Recurring $5/month Discount): newsgroup[/color]

One of the reasons I am using .html is to give the site the look and feel of
a static html web site. I was under the impression, that with some
exceptions (like Google) search engines list the pages better than
index.php?conte nt=example.
[color=blue]
> 2) I test to make sure the page being requested is not a file or
> directory that exists. If it exists, then retrive the existing page.
> This is nice in case you want to have a pages that are not part of your
> content management system.[/color]
If I need a stand alone page, it will probably have some php requirement, so
I would probably just call existing pages example.php. I'm not likely to
ever have static html files that could not be moved over to content
management.

Thanks for the detailed feedback. I had a look at your web site and see
what you mean. It works very well! :-)

Nel.

**Nel** · Jul 17 '05, 05:44 AM

Re: .htaccess and PHP

"Chung Leong" <chernyshevsky@ hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:SK-dnc0eOqwUcVrd4p 2dnA@comcast.co m...[color=blue]
> "Nel" <nelly@ne14.co. NOSPAMuk> wrote in message
> news:DwGxc.1289 4$NK4.1841718@s tones.force9.ne t...[color=green]
> > Just looking for some general advice on modifying the URL for php.
> >
> > I am using .htaccess to allow a web site to translate example.html to
> > index.php?conte nt=example
> > (below)
> >
> > ErrorDocument 404 http://www.example.com
> > RewriteEngine on
> > RewriteRule ^/?(.*).html$ /index.php?conte nt=$1 [L]
> >
> > Is there any downside to using this method. I just want to know before[/color][/color]
I[color=blue][color=green]
> > roll it out over several other sites.[/color]
>
> Other then losing the ability to use regular .html files, there's no major
> downside I can think of. Then again, there's little upside to doing things
> this way. If you don't need to use Apache rewrite, my advise is to not use
> it.
>[/color]
As I just posted above Chung, I was under the impression that example.html
was easier for search engines to map.

Nel

**Edward Alfert** · Jul 17 '05, 05:44 AM

Re: .htaccess and PHP

"Nel" <nelly@ne14.co. NOSPAMuk> wrote in
news:LvUxc.1316 3$NK4.1896572@s tones.force9.ne t:
[color=blue]
> "Edward Alfert" <ealfert@rootmo de.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9503CBB 689139ealfertro otmodecom@130.1 33.1.4...[color=green]
>> "Nel" <nelly@ne14.co. NOSPAMuk> wrote in news:DwGxc.1289 4$NK4.1841718
>> @stones.force9. net:
>>[color=darkred]
>> > Just looking for some general advice on modifying the URL for php.
>> >
>> > I am using .htaccess to allow a web site to translate example.html
>> > to index.php?conte nt=example
>> > (below)
>> >
>> > ErrorDocument 404 http://www.example.com
>> > RewriteEngine on
>> > RewriteRule ^/?(.*).html$ /index.php?conte nt=$1 [L]
>> >
>> > Is there any downside to using this method. I just want to know[/color]
>> before I[color=darkred]
>> > roll it out over several other sites.
>> >
>> > Nel.
>> >[/color]
>>
>> Nel,
>>
>> I use something similar.
>> 1) I redirect alias domains and domains without www. in front to my
>> main domain using a 301 redirect which is what Google likes in order
>> to maintain pagerank.
>> 2) I test to make sure the page being requested is not a file or
>> directory that exists. If it exists, then retrive the existing page.
>> This is nice in case you want to have a pages that are not part of
>> your content management system.
>> 3) I don't just redirect pages with .html extensions. I redirect
>> everything into content management system and then the cms parses the
>> requested page and strips extensions, trailing slashes, etc.
>>
>>
>>
>> Options +SymlinksIfOwne rMatch
>>
>> RewriteEngine On
>>
>> RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.rootmode \.com
>> RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www\.rootmode\. com/$1 [R=
>> 301,L]
>>
>> RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -f [OR]
>> RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -d
>> RewriteRule ^(.*)$ $1 [L]
>>
>> RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index\.php
>> RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /index.php?page= $1 [L]
>>
>>
>> --
>> Edward Alfert
>> http://www.rootmode.com/
>> Multiple Domain Hosting and Reseller Hosting Plans
>> Coupon Code (Recurring $5/month Discount): newsgroup[/color]
>
> One of the reasons I am using .html is to give the site the look and
> feel of a static html web site. I was under the impression, that with
> some exceptions (like Google) search engines list the pages better
> than index.php?conte nt=example.
>[color=green]
> > 2) I test to make sure the page being requested is not a file or
>> directory that exists. If it exists, then retrive the existing page.
>> This is nice in case you want to have a pages that are not part of
>> your content management system.[/color]
> If I need a stand alone page, it will probably have some php
> requirement, so I would probably just call existing pages example.php.
> I'm not likely to ever have static html files that could not be moved
> over to content management.
>
> Thanks for the detailed feedback. I had a look at your web site and
> see what you mean. It works very well! :-)
>
> Nel.
>[/color]

Nel,

The url is not rewritten to http://www.domain.tld/index.php?
content=example ... it stays http://www.domain.tld/example so search
engines do not see that it is a dynamic site. They see a static url.

The site you looked at uses a differnt but similar technique that has
some drawbacks (like not being able to handle trailing slashes "/").
The code I listed is for the redesign I'm currently working on.

The code above is only the .htaccess portion, see the index.php page
that does other manipulation (not 100% done yet).

<?php
//=============== =============== ==========
//RootMode CMS - http://cms.rootmode.com/
//----------------------------------------

/*************** *************** ***********
Place the following in .htaccess in root directory
Make sure to modify domain in first RewriteCond and RewriteRule
*************** *************** ************
Options +SymlinksIfOwne rMatch

RewriteEngine On

RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.rootmode \.net
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www\.rootmode\. net/$1 [R=
301,L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -f [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -d
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ $1 [L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index\.php
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /index.php?page= $1 [L]
*************** *************** ***********/

//=============== =============== ==========
//Set system/site specific variables
//----------------------------------------
$domain = $_SERVER["HTTP_HOST"]; //Can also set
manually to "www.domain.tld "
$path = "/var/www/html/"; //Absolute path is
preferred but relative will work
$dir_content = "content/";
$ext = ".php"; //Extension of
physical content files. Will not be displayed in address bar of
browser.
$page_default = "multiple-domain-hosting"; //No extension
$redirect_defau lt = true; //true or false.
Useful for search engine optimization if set to true along with a
descriptive $page_default.
$page_404 = "sitemap"; //No extension
$dir_template = "template/";
$page_header = "header.php "; //Extension
required
$page_footer = "footer.php "; //Extension
required
$debug = true; //true or false

//=============== =============== ==========
//DO NOT MODIFY BELOW THIS LINE
//----------------------------------------

//=============== =============== ==========
//Send email if referred is a search engine
//----------------------------------------

//=============== =============== ==========
//Read requested page from mod_rewrite rule in .htaccess
//----------------------------------------
$page_content = $_REQUEST["page"];
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=User Requested Page):
page_content=". $page_content." "; };

//=============== =============== ==========
//If no page was specified, retrieve default page
//----------------------------------------
if ((!$page_conten t) && ($redirect_defa ult)) {
$page_redirect = $page_default;} ;
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Redi rect Default):
page_redirect=" .$page_redirect ." "; };
if (!$page_content ) { $page_content = $page_default; };
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Defa ult Page):
page_content=". $page_content." "; };

//=============== =============== ==========
//If exists, remove trailing "/"
//Fix for search engines that append a "/" if the file being
requested does not have an extension
//Do not redirect to non-slash version because it might create a
loop
//----------------------------------------
if (substr($page_c ontent,-1,1) == "/") { $page_content =
substr($page_co ntent,0,-1); };
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Trai ling Slash):
page_content=". $page_content." "; };

//=============== =============== ==========
//If exists, remove "." or ">"
//Fix for common problems of mangled links in emails
//----------------------------------------
$lastchar = substr($page_co ntent, -1, 1);
if (($lastchar == '.') || ($lastchar == '>')) {
$page_redirect = substr($page_co ntent, 0, -1); $page_content =
$page_redirect; };
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Trai ling . or >):
page_redirect=" .$page_redirect ." "; };

//=============== =============== ==========
//If exists, remove extension
//----------------------------------------
//.htm, .php
if (substr($page_c ontent,-4,1) == ".") {
$page_redirect = substr($page_co ntent,0,-4); $page_content =
$page_redirect; };
//.html, .php3
if (substr($page_c ontent,-5,1) == ".") {
$page_redirect = substr($page_co ntent,0,-5); $page_content =
$page_redirect; };
//.shtml
if (substr($page_c ontent,-6,1) == ".") {
$page_redirect = substr($page_co ntent,0,-6); $page_content =
$page_redirect; };
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Stri p Extension): page_redirect=" .
$page_redirect. " "; };

//=============== =============== ==========
//Force lower case for filename
//----------------------------------------
$page_content_l ower = strtolower($pag e_content);
if ($page_content != $page_content_l ower) { $page_redirect =
$page_content_l ower; $page_content = $page_redirect; };
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Lowe r Case):
page_redirect=" .$page_redirect ." "; };

//=============== =============== ==========
//If requested page does not exist, then redirect to 404 page
//----------------------------------------
$file = $path.$dir_cont ent.$page_conte nt.$ext;
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Phys ical Path): file=".
$file." "; };
if (!file_exists($ file)) { $page_redirect = $page_404; };
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=404) : page_redirect=" .
$page_redirect. " "; };

//=============== =============== ==========
//Determine which template (header and footer) to use
//----------------------------------------
if (!file_exists($ path.$dir_conte nt.$page_header )) {
$dir_header = $dir_content; } else { $dir_header = $dir_template; };
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Head er Path): dir_header=".
$dir_header.""; };
if (!file_exists($ path.$dir_conte nt.$page_footer )) {
$dir_footer = $dir_content; } else { $dir_footer = $dir_template; };
if ($debug) { echo "(Test=Foot er Path): dir_footer=".
$dir_footer.""; };

//=============== =============== ==========
//Display content or do a 301 redirect to correct page
//----------------------------------------
if (!$page_redirec t) {
include($path.$ dir_header.$pag e_header);
include($path.$ dir_content.$pa ge_content.$ext );
include($path.$ dir_footer.$pag e_footer);
} else {
header("Locatio n: http://$domain/$page_redirect" );
header("HTTP/1.0 301 Moved Permanently", true);
}

//=============== =============== ==========
//Helpful troubleshooting info
//----------------------------------------
if ($debug) { echo phpinfo(); };
//Uncomment next line to display phpinfo() even when not in
debug mode
//echo phpinfo();
?>

--
Edward Alfert

Brandable Domain Names | GigaNames

http://www.rootmode.com/

Multiple Domain Hosting and Reseller Hosting Plans
Coupon Code (Recurring $5/month Discount): newsgroup

**Virgil Green** · Jul 17 '05, 05:45 AM

Re: .htaccess and PHP

"Nel" <nelly@ne14.co. NOSPAMuk> wrote in message
news:LvUxc.1316 3$NK4.1896572@s tones.force9.ne t...[color=blue]
> "Edward Alfert" <ealfert@rootmo de.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9503CBB 689139ealfertro otmodecom@130.1 33.1.4...[color=green]
> > "Nel" <nelly@ne14.co. NOSPAMuk> wrote in news:DwGxc.1289 4$NK4.1841718
> > @stones.force9. net:
> >[color=darkred]
> > > Just looking for some general advice on modifying the URL for php.
> > >
> > > I am using .htaccess to allow a web site to translate example.html to
> > > index.php?conte nt=example
> > > (below)
> > >
> > > ErrorDocument 404 http://www.example.com
> > > RewriteEngine on
> > > RewriteRule ^/?(.*).html$ /index.php?conte nt=$1 [L]
> > >
> > > Is there any downside to using this method. I just want to know[/color]
> > before I[color=darkred]
> > > roll it out over several other sites.
> > >
> > > Nel.
> > >[/color]
> >
> > Nel,
> >
> > I use something similar.
> > 1) I redirect alias domains and domains without www. in front to my main
> > domain using a 301 redirect which is what Google likes in order to
> > maintain pagerank.
> > 2) I test to make sure the page being requested is not a file or
> > directory that exists. If it exists, then retrive the existing page.
> > This is nice in case you want to have a pages that are not part of your
> > content management system.
> > 3) I don't just redirect pages with .html extensions. I redirect
> > everything into content management system and then the cms parses the
> > requested page and strips extensions, trailing slashes, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> > Options +SymlinksIfOwne rMatch
> >
> > RewriteEngine On
> >
> > RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} !^www\.rootmode \.com
> > RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://www\.rootmode\. com/$1 [R=
> > 301,L]
> >
> > RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -f [OR]
> > RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILEN AME} -d
> > RewriteRule ^(.*)$ $1 [L]
> >
> > RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !^/index\.php
> > RewriteRule ^(.*)$ /index.php?page= $1 [L]
> >
> >
> > --
> > Edward Alfert
> > http://www.rootmode.com/
> > Multiple Domain Hosting and Reseller Hosting Plans
> > Coupon Code (Recurring $5/month Discount): newsgroup[/color]
>
> One of the reasons I am using .html is to give the site the look and feel[/color]
of[color=blue]
> a static html web site. I was under the impression, that with some
> exceptions (like Google) search engines list the pages better than
> index.php?conte nt=example.
>[/color]

If you'd like to see a rather extensive use of rewrite to convert dynamic
URLs to apparently static URLs, you might want to visit www.nukecops.com and
take a look at the GoogleTap proposal that is fairly popular with phpNuke
users. I've looked at for educational purposes but have not chosen to use
it. It handles the re-write on incoming transactiosn and also rewrites
outbound html.

- Virgil

.htaccess and PHP

.htaccess and PHP

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