Mapping variables to directories

[jkeppens]

I've read an article once where a script recieved several variables which weren't passed in the normal format :

/news/article.php?date=20020224&id=01

but as a special directory :

/news/article/20020224/01

How is this done? If I remember correctly this was set on the server level, but I'm not sure. If it is, can it be set in an .htaccess file ?

thanks,

Jeroen