Apache Directives, Folders

Stevil

I've been told that there is a certain way to set up a apache directive it which case it uses the directory path to get information and points to a different file.

Its kind of hard to explain so I'll give an example.

http://www.test.com/products/38.html

is the url, the file doesn't actually exisit and instead it runs a seperate file all together (for now we will call it x.php). in x.php you can use the URL information (path, and directories) in your code.

I'm not sure if its just redirecting the entire directory to that 1 file and then you break up the URL to get the information or any file that goes to that directory gets redirected to the file and then the information broken up from there.

If anyone has a clue of what I'm talking about could you please give me some info or tell which apache directive it is so I'm point in the right direction.

swr

Google for "mod_rewrite".

Stevil

thanks for your help, I done a bit of research on mod_rewrite and came up with:-

RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^{/(articles)/(.*)$} /$1.php
[L,PT,E=PATH_INFO:/$2]

Granted I stole this code from someone else to try, but alas it never worked anyways :-( I have a feeling its because I was doing this in a .htaccess file and may not be avilable unless in the http.conf file.

BUT Along my travels I came accross something which seems easier, its using APACHE's "look back". Only thing is I think it may only work in 2.0+

if you have not heard of it you may find out information on it here:-
http://www.zend.com/zend/trick/tricks-apr-2003-urls.php

if you have heard of it and have any advice on my mod_rewrite woes or if look back works in 1.3 any advice you may offer on the subject would be greatly appreicated.

Stevil