Big database / mod-rewrite question

[David Bruning]

I have just been given a 30 meg mysql database (the ones I usually work with are maybe a meg) and the amount of information in here is incredible.

I want to use mod-rewrite to generate the pages since this will equal maybe 20,000-30,000 pages depending on layout.

There appear to be around 6 main sections.

What is the best way to handle the mod rewrite / display issues?

In the past I have created a single php script that handled displaying everything, but I am not sure if that is a good idea here - I could make 6 directories and place seperate .htaccess and php scripts if that would make it easier.

Can mod rewrite handle 6 or so variables at once?

ie: can i make a single script that is called like this:

index.php?var1=$var1&var2=$var2&var3=$var3&var4=$var4&var5=$var5&var6=$var6

or is that too much?

[jdMorgan]

David,

According to the mod_rewrite documentation (see link in our charter), mod_rewrite can handle up to 9 back-references. If you need more, you can usually "stack" the rules -- this depends on your site layour, but it's usually possible.

The key to minimizing server overhead and keeping the rules to a manageable number is to define a good solid URL-naming convention before you start, and then stick to it.

Jim