mod_rewrite

About

mod_rewrite uses a rule-based rewriting engine (based on a regular-expression parser) to rewrite requested URLs on the fly.

It supports an unlimited number of rules and an unlimited number of attached rule conditions for each rule, to provide a really flexible and powerful URL manipulation mechanism.

Quotes

• ``The great thing about mod_rewrite is it gives you all the configurability and flexibility of Sendmail. The downside to mod_rewrite is that it gives you all the configurability and flexibility of Sendmail.'' -- Brian Behlendorf | Apache Group
• `` Despite the tons of examples and docs, mod_rewrite is voodoo. Damned cool voodoo, but still voodoo. '' -- Brian Moore

Performance

mod_rewrite enabled apache services perform faster than .htaccess for production services; performance best practices solution.

Enable mod_rewrite

• Virtual host setup

Alternatives

.htaccess apache configuration rules

These .htaccess files are faster to use for development without additional configuration.

These are useful for some users who avoid apache configuration or virtual host configurations.

External references

• mod_rewrite Cheat Sheet
• mod_rewrite - Apache 1.3
• mod_rewrite - Apache 2.0