User alias address

[zzz]

I would like to implement feature commonly used on the web where a user creates an IS which resolves in his/hear account.

mysite.com/johndoe will resolve in mysite.com/dir/users/whatever/blah.php?user=12345

Now, I am familiar with .htaccess overwrites but if you have thousands of member it won't be useful, would it? Maybe I'm wrong... How does mySpace.com does it?

Trying to understand the process.

[TenaciousC]

You could theoretically have all the URL usernames in a database table. Table might look like

user INT
url VARCHAR(255)

user = 12345
url = "johndoe"

When a user picks their URL, like MySpace, just have the script check to make sure they aren't trying to take one that's already in use. From there, set up your RewriteRules and go to town.

Is that the answer you are looking for?

[zzz]

How about this scenario.

I already have a page that relies on a .htaccess rewrite. Each user has a 5 char code. On a page I check if id is 5 chars long, if it is script checks the table with user data and is finds it the data is echoed. So, couldn't I just add another field to that user's row, called ALIAS. Then I can first check if alias appended exists go on with the routine.

Basically I don't need to store user URL, because it is dynamic. I already have user data table. So, I need a to be able to check if such alias exists. I guess I'm failing to see how I could access db for a check if someone provides something likemysite.com/johndoe Right now my site will just kick me to "Page not Found default page".

Sounds easy but that whole rewrite aspect keeps throwing me off.