I need a web host that allows its users to use the URL rewriting feature of Apache via .htaccess files. With this feature one can rewrite URLs on the fly. For example domain.com/info/id_7/ can be seamlessly routed to domain.com/info.php?id=7.

Anyone knows a web host that supports this feature? I have tried chatting with or e-mailing the support personnel of a few web hosting companies to date. But they either don't know what I mean or tell me they do not allow that for security purposes (oh yeah!).

I am not completely sure about this but I reckon http://www.adgrafix.com/ configure an individual apache binary for each of their virtual accounts and that you could do a custom compile with mod rewrite - (they would charge $$ if you required support for this procedure I suppose)

I myself implemented a sort of poor man's rewrite by using a php script as the error page. The script just analyses the request uri and you deliver any content from there (you also modify error codes in the headers). Seems to work pretty well.

Thanks wombat for the answer and telling your way of URL rewriting, but I do need the real one. I have checked Adgrafix. They seem to allow URL rewriting. But their prices are ridiculously high. I also need two MySQL databases, and they require me to pay at least $59 for a hosting account that supports MySQL. And for the additional MySQL database they want a one-time fee of $200!!! They must be crazy.

Yes. they are a bit expensive - it is true. That $200 is charged if you want them to install MySQL in your virtual account - but you can do this yourself if you feel confident with it (otherwise you have to use a shared MySQL server and only one db allowed). I also think you can get away with slightly under $59 - but still pretty expensive (they are techically pretty good with 24*7 support and a high bandwidth allowance I suppose)

Good luck, will be interested if you find somewhere.

Maybe I'm missing something but couldn't you use www.netcraft.com/whats and type in a few of the hosts that you are reviewing and see if mod_rewrite shows up in the list of "things" they are running?

jericho

wombat,

I have found this in their knowledge base (no mention of self install). I've installed Apache, PHP and MySQL under Linux before. So if they let me install the software without any charge that would be cool.

What does Adgrafix charge for installing my own version of MySQL?

To have your own version of mysql installed you will also need a new apache/php binary compiled. For Installation of mysql and Apache/PHP by Adgrafix there will be a charge of $200.00. Please note that Frontpage support in the Apache binary will be included only by special request.

jericho,

That's a nice idea. But netcraft doesn't list the all the Apache modules installed as far as I know. Here is what adgrafix.com uses according to netcraft:

Apache/1.3.19 (Unix) mod_perl/1.25

ijan: in case webhostingtalk doesn't send you an email when you have a private message, you have a private message. :)

Usually apache is installed with mod_rewrite installed by default. It's only taken out if the administrators take it out (mod_rewrite isn't a very popular feature, and it shrinks httpd by a little).

Hi,

Just a very small note to let you know that you can do what you seem to need simply by using the $PHP_SELF variable in PHP. I wrote a small bit of code for my own scripts and it works fine. Feel free to use it:

Exemple query:
http://www.domain.com/info.php/id_7/blah_14

$query = explode ("/", $PHP_SELF);
$count = 0
while (isset($query[$count]) {
$parts = explode ("_", $query[$count]);
$vars[$count] = $parts[0];
$$vars[$count] = $parts[1];
$count++;
}

Plese note the use of variable variables.. this will give you:
$info : 7
$blah : 14

No further modifications should have to be made in the script...

(Sorry, I know we're not on phpcodingtalk.com.. hehe)

Thank you,

--
Cedric Veilleux
"A la carte" web hosting.
http://www.inetflex.com/

If you don't want the ".php" part in your URL, I *heard* but never tried it, that you can simply place:

documentroot "/home/user/public_html/info.php"

in httpd.conf and it will work


Ex.:

domain.com/id_7/blah_14/
will act like
domain.com/info.php/id_7/blah_14/



Thank you,

--
Cedric Veilleux,
"A la carte" web hosting
http://www.inetflex.com/

i think futurequest.net supports mod_rewrite...

Originally posted by ijan
I have found this in their knowledge base (no mention of self install). I've installed Apache, PHP and MySQL under Linux before. So if they let me install the software without any charge that would be cool.

What does Adgrafix charge for installing my own version of MySQL?

To have your own version of mysql installed you will also need a new apache/php binary compiled. For Installation of mysql and Apache/PHP by Adgrafix there will be a charge of $200.00. Please note that Frontpage support in the Apache binary will be included only by special request.



Yes but I have seen discussions in the Adgrafix users' forums about doing-it-yourself. The thing is if you get into trouble and need their help no doubt they will charge like wounded bulls - but yes it does seem possible to DIY if you know what you are doing. I would have a good pre-sales chat to them before proceeding on that basis.

They have a live sales chat system on their site so it would be easy to find out more if you wanted.

If ya don't mind hosting in the UK the DSVR provide mod_rewrite in their virtual servers - VS300 upwards.

http://www.dsvr.co.uk/virtualservers/specifications.phtml?