Htaccess: Redirect: Difference between revisions

Punctuation and grammatical changes; some clarification.
m (Reverted edits by Upazixorys (Talk); changed back to last version by Ric)
(Punctuation and grammatical changes; some clarification.)
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'''Redirect'''
'''Redirect'''


The htaccess command Redirect is very powerful you can redirect files or complete folders. Why would you want to do this a typical example would be that you have changed the structure of your site but wish old links (saved by a user) to be redirected to your new page location or even new page name.
The htaccess command Redirect is very powerful. You can redirect files or complete folders. Why would you want to do this? A typical example would be that you have changed the structure of your site but want to have old links (saved by a user) to be redirected to your new page location, or even a new page name.


== Redirect format ==
== Redirect format ==
The redirect command must be on a single line with each element separated by a space it has the following format:
The redirect command must be on a single line with each element, separated by a space. It has the following format:


:'''Redirect old_path new_path'''
:'''Redirect old_path new_path'''
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=== Folder Redirect ===
=== Folder Redirect ===
Suppose that all you have done is renamed a folder (and even moved it to another location) however all the files still have their original names redirecting a folder is similar to the above for example:
Suppose that all you have done is to rename a folder (and possibly moved it to another location); however all the files still have their original names. Redirecting a folder is similar to the above; for example:


'''Redirect /olddirectory <nowiki>http://yoursite.com/newdirectory</nowiki>'''
'''Redirect /olddirectory <nowiki>http://yoursite.com/newdirectory</nowiki>'''
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</ol>
</ol>


'''''[[#top | Top]]'''''
== Directory example 1 ==
== Directory example 1 ==
Using our '''errors folder''' make a copy of it and rename it to '''moved'''.
Using our '''errors folder''' make a copy of it and rename it to '''moved'''.
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# You will be redirected to the folder '''<nowiki>http://localhost/moved/</nowiki>'''
# You will be redirected to the folder '''<nowiki>http://localhost/moved/</nowiki>'''


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== Directory example 2 ==
== Directory example 2 ==
Open the file '''not_found.html''' contained in folder moved add some more text to distinguish it from the original.
Open the file '''not_found.html''' contained in folder that was moved and add some more text to distinguish it from the original.


'''Testing'''
'''Testing'''
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# You will be redirected to the file '''<nowiki>http://localhost/moved/not_found.html</nowiki>'''
# You will be redirected to the file '''<nowiki>http://localhost/moved/not_found.html</nowiki>'''


Well you get the idea experiment with files it is similar to the folder example.
Well, you get the idea. Experiment with files; it is similar to the folder example.


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== Practical Example ==
== Practical Example ==
I was faced with this very problem UniCenter has been around for nearly two years and started to become unmanageable hence the move over to the Wiki. Many web sites link to various pages on UniCenter to avoid frustration of not finding an article; users are redirected to the appropriate page on the Wiki.
I was faced with this very problemUniCenter has been around for nearly two years and started to become unmanageable, hence the move over to the Wiki. Many web sites link to various pages on UniCenter, so to avoid the frustration of not finding an article, users are redirected to the appropriate page on the Wiki.


Below is a small extract from my .htaccess file you will see I am using page redirection:  
Below is a small extract from my .htaccess file, where you will see I am using page redirection:  


<pre>
<pre>
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</pre>
</pre>


'''''Tip'':''' I first publish the Wiki pages, use a browser to view a page and copy the link into .htaccess. Similar process to obtain the redirected page.
'''''Tip'':''' I first publish the Wiki pages. Then I use a browser to view a page and copy the link into .htaccess. The process is similar to obtain the redirected page.


=== Errors ===
=== Errors ===
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The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.
</pre>
</pre>
 
Remember to always make small changes to .htaccess and then test. This makes it easier to isolate and resolve any problems.
Hence always make small changes to .htaccess and then test, makes it easier to isolate and resolve any problems.
    
    
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