This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the difference between redirect and rewrite in .htaccess. The focus is on the technical aspects and practical applications of these server directives, rather than subjective opinions or personal experiences.

The article begins by explaining the concept of redirect, which involves the server instructing the client to submit a new request. Redirect is primarily used to ensure correct links and is particularly useful for implementing pretty URLs.

In contrast, rewrite occurs solely on the server and is transparent to the client. It involves internally modifying server behavior without affecting URLs visible to users.

The article emphasizes the importance of avoiding redirect loops and highlights the differences between RewriteRule and Redirect 301, shedding light on the various aspects of mod_rewrite redirects.

Additionally, the article provides examples and tips for implementing redirects, addressing URL parameters, dynamic URLs, and AngularJS SEO considerations using .htaccess.

Redirect vs Rewrite

In the context of the pre-existing knowledge, the current subtopic explores the distinction between redirect and rewrite in .htaccess and discusses their differences and specific functionalities.

Redirecting is a server response to a client’s request, instructing the client to submit a new request for a different URL. This ensures that links in the wild point to the correct location. Redirecting is commonly used for creating pretty URLs. It is important for the content to generate the correct links for the redirect to work effectively.

On the other hand, rewriting happens solely on the server and is transparent to the client (browser). It does not affect the URLs in the wild. Rewrite rules are used to internally change the way the server handles the request. However, care must be taken to avoid rewrite loops, which can lead to a 500 Server Error. Specific matching to the request itself is necessary, and RewriteCond %{THE_REQUEST} can be used for this purpose.

In summary, redirecting is used to change the URL that the client sees and interacts with, while rewriting is used to internally change the server’s handling of the request without affecting the client’s view of the URL.

How Redirect Works

Redirecting is a server response mechanism that instructs the client to submit a new request, allowing the browser to load the URL provided in the server’s response. It is a way to ensure that links in the wild point to the right place.

When a browser asks for a URL, the server responds with a redirect, indicating that the requested resource has moved permanently or temporarily to a different location. This is useful for creating pretty URLs and maintaining the correct link structure.

However, it is important for the content to generate the correct links for the redirect to work effectively. Redirecting is a client-side action and is visible to the user.

It is commonly used for SEO purposes and to handle URL changes.

How Rewrite Works

Rewrite is a server-side process that internally modifies the server’s response without affecting the URLs in the wild. It is not visible to the client (browser) and does not prompt the client to submit a new request. Instead, it solely occurs within the server.

The purpose of rewrite is to change something internally within the server. This can include altering the format of the URL or mapping a specific request to a different file or location. However, caution must be exercised when using rewrite rules to avoid potential loops and resulting in a 500 Server Error.

To prevent these issues, specific matching to the request itself is needed. Techniques like using RewriteCond %{THE_REQUEST} can be employed to ensure that the rewrite rules are applied correctly.

Ultimately, while rewrite is useful for internal server modifications, it does not impact the URLs in the wild. Therefore, it is still necessary to direct the URLs to the correct location.