When do I need Options +FollowSymLinks?

in htaccess

[guillermo5000]

I use mod_rewrite in my htaccess file to send spambots to various other places.

I notice some in this forum put Options +FollowSymLinks in their htaccess file; why?

Mine works fine without it, what does it do? Thanks.

[bcc1234]

It specifies whether or not apache should follow a simbolic link while looking for a file.
For example, if you have a file
/home/mydomain/www/myfile.html
which is a link to
/home/mydomain/somedir/therealfile.html

Then apache will only retrieve the realfile.html if you have that option enabled.

[guillermo5000]

I have not setup any symbolic links myself, does this mean I do not need the command in my htaccess? Thanks

[wilderness]

A search at google for symbolic links returned some reading material.

This might best provide its use:
http ://www.ahinc.com/linux101/links.htm

BTW, I get along just fine without using it.

[jdMorgan]

In some (or all?) server configurations, mod_rewrite requires FollowSymLinks to be enabled, or it will crater with a 500-Server Error.

If your mod_rewrite code works without the Options +FollowSymLinks directive, that means that your server configuration file has enabled them already, and you won't need that directive in your .htaccess files.

I try to remember to include it in posts here anyway, just so someone asking mod_rewrite questions won't have a problem, and either give up, or have to post again.

Jim

[guillermo5000]

That clears it up! Thanks all.

[wkitty42]

jdM,

i wonder if this followsymlinks is OS dependant... *nix stuff has the ability of having a link whereas DOS and win based stuff looks at a (cross)link as being a bad thing...

[jdMorgan]

I believe you would call it a "Shortcut" in Windoze-based environment.

The requirement for enabling FollowSymLinks is not well-defined. The only way I learned about it was because I got a 500-Server Error the first time I ever enabled mod_rewrite, and the error log entry said something to the effect of, "You must enable SymLinks for this to work."

I include it in posts mostly so I don't forget to warn that it may be required...

Jim