Creating an htaccess file

[Headwurdz]

I have a static html site that has a few urls the need to be 301 redirected to new pages and also needs the non-dub redirected to the dub.

I looked on the server and they have an empty htaccess file. I know how to do the necessary redirects, but I have never built an htacess file from scratch. I don't know if its as easy as copying the contents from another htacess file or not.

Can anyone point me to any reputable resources that can give me the info I need to create the file?

Thanks in advance

[jdMorgan]

There are several useful resources cited in our Apache Forum Charter, several dozen introductory threads in our Apache Forum Library, and tens of thousands of threads findable here using a site search with the keywords you mentioned above on your favorite search engine...

Jim

[Headwurdz]

I did use the search function on the site, but didn't come up with anything specific that related to htaccess samples, examples, etc.

I used the general search engines, but didn't know if any of the sites that were returned in the results were reputable. I didn't feel comfortable just following anyone's advice. That's why I created the post.

Based on your reply, I now see the links to the charter and the library, I must have overlooked them due to their size. So, I will go there to find the info I need. Thanks

[jdMorgan]

I was recommending a site search, such as:
[google.com...]
(About 6,780 results) :)

To the best of my ability, I have seen to it that all threads in this Apache forum are "reputable" -- if they are read through to their conclusion and if all corrections are implemented as noted. I recommend doing the reading first, as you know what subject areas you might want to study-up on, and we can't possibly reproduce all that contributed/accumulated knowledge in one post or thread.

Plus, there is simply no "one-size-fits-all" answer, and server config code --whether in httpd.conf or in .htaccess-- is certainly NOT a cut-and-paste proposition. In fact, cutting and pasting code without fully understanding it is an excellent way to kill your search rankings and put yourself out of business... :o

Please post specific questions back here.

Jim

[Headwurdz]

I'm reading through your library now.

Thanks

[g1smd]

My first .htaccess file was three lines long, to do one particular thing I discovered was important to do.

Within weeks there were half a dozen things it had to do, and after a year more than double that again.

Every site is different, so you'll never implement the same file twice.

In general, in a basic file, there will be some stuff for access control, stuff for redirects, maybe some rewrites, some ErrorDocument directives, and a few other things.

Defining *what* you want to do is stage one of the process; and that is waaay before any coding starts, maybe days or weeks before.