Configuration Files

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This document describes the files used to configure the Apache +HTTP server.

Main Configuration Files
Syntax of the Configuration Files
Modules
Scope of Directives
.htaccess Files

Main Configuration Files

Related Modules	Related Directives
`mod_mime`	`<IfDefine>` `Include` `TypesConfig`

+ + + +

Apache is configured by placing directives in plain text + configuration files. The main configuration file is usually called + httpd.conf. The location of this file is set at + compile-time, but may be overridden with the -f + command line flag. In addition, other configuration files may be + added using the Include + directive, and wildcards can be used to include many configuration + files. Any directive may be placed in any of these configuration + files. Changes to the main configuration files are only + recognized by Apache when it is started or restarted.

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The server also reads a file containing mime document types; + the filename is set by the TypesConfig directive, + and is mime.types by default.

Syntax of the Configuration Files

+ + +

Apache configuration files contain one directive per line. + The backslash "\" may be used as the last character on a line + to indicate that the directive continues onto the next line. + There must be no other characters or white space between the + backslash and the end of the line.

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Directives in the configuration files are case-insensitive, + but arguments to directives are often case sensitive. Lines + that begin with the hash character "#" are considered + comments, and are ignored. Comments may not be + included on a line after a configuration directive. Blank lines + and white space occurring before a directive are ignored, so + you may indent directives for clarity.

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You can check your configuration files for syntax errors + without starting the server by using apachectl + configtest or the -t command line + option.

Modules

Related Modules	Related Directives
`mod_so`	`<IfModule>` `LoadModule`

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Apache is a modular server. This implies that only the most + basic functionality is included in the core server. Extended + features are available through modules which can be loaded + into Apache. By default, a base set of modules is + included in the server at compile-time. If the server is + compiled to use dynamically loaded + modules, then modules can be compiled separately and added at + any time using the LoadModule + directive. + Otherwise, Apache must be recompiled to add or remove modules. + Configuration directives may be included conditional on a + presence of a particular module by enclosing them in an <IfModule> block.

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To see which modules are currently compiled into the server, + you can use the -l command line option.

Scope of Directives

Related Modules	Related Directives
	`<Directory>` `<DirectoryMatch>` `<Files>` `<FilesMatch>` `<Location>` `<LocationMatch>` `<VirtualHost>`

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Directives placed in the main configuration files apply to + the entire server. If you wish to change the configuration for + only a part of the server, you can scope your directives by + placing them in <Directory>, <DirectoryMatch>, <Files>, <FilesMatch>, <Location>, and <LocationMatch> + sections. These sections limit the application of the + directives which they enclose to particular filesystem + locations or URLs. They can also be nested, allowing for very + fine grained configuration.

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Apache has the capability to serve many different websites + simultaneously. This is called Virtual + Hosting. Directives can also be scoped by placing them + inside <VirtualHost> + sections, so that they will only apply to requests for a + particular website.

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Although most directives can be placed in any of these + sections, some directives do not make sense in some contexts. + For example, directives controlling process creation can only + be placed in the main server context. To find which directives + can be placed in which sections, check the Context of the + directive. For further information, we provide details on How Directory, Location and Files sections + work.

.htaccess Files

Related Modules	Related Directives
	`AccessFileName` `AllowOverride`

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Apache allows for decentralized management of configuration + via special files placed inside the web tree. The special files + are usually called .htaccess, but any name can be + specified in the AccessFileName + directive. Directives placed in .htaccess files + apply to the directory where you place the file, and all + sub-directories. The .htaccess files follow the + same syntax as the main configuration files. Since + .htaccess files are read on every request, changes + made in these files take immediate effect.

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To find which directives can be placed in + .htaccess files, check the Context of the + directive. The server administrator further controls what + directives may be placed in .htaccess files by + configuring the AllowOverride + directive in the main configuration files.

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For more information on .htaccess files, see + the .htaccess tutorial.