RewriteMap not working? Why?

[brand404]

I am trying to figure out why my server doesnt work with RewriteMap directive (ie, "RewriteMap myunescape int:unescape).

More specifically i am trying to use the "unescape" feature. I've tried very simple examples (as found on Apache site) and the results are as if the use of ${myunescape:$1} is being ignored. It's like it doesnt understand the "${..}" part and just fails.

Any ideas?

[phranque]

if you have access to the server config you could turn on rewrite logging.

i would also check the server error log.

[lucy24]

Is it your own server, or do you mean simply the server that your site is hosted on? The difference is crucial when it comes to RewriteMaps.

[brand404]

thanks for the heads up as i discovered by asking the admin (im hosting on a shared server) and he made me aware that one needs access to the server .conf file since it is not available via httacess file :(

Not a big deal since i decided to just recreate the same thing within php.

[phranque]

oops!

i forgot about that part.

http://httpd.apache.org/docs/current/mod/mod_rewrite.html#rewritemap

Syntax: RewriteMap MapName MapType:MapSource
Context: server config, virtual host

[lucy24]

You can USE a RewriteMap in htaccess-- but only if it has been declared in config AND you know the name it has been given. This is not the kind of thing that a shared host would usually bother to do. (I once asked mine, and learned that they simply hadn't installed the RewriteMaps. You need at least a VPS.)

[brand404]

Thanks phranque and lucy24 for both your excellent help!