.htaccess Configuration Guide

This .htaccess file is configured to handle several key functionalities, including HTTPS redirection, removing .php extensions from URLs, restricting access to .php files directly, and specifying the PHP version to be used.

Features

1. Redirect HTTP to HTTPS
   Ensures all HTTP traffic is redirected to HTTPS for secure browsing.

2. Remove .php Extension from URLs
   Allows pages to be accessed without specifying the .php extension, improving SEO and user-friendliness.

3. Restrict Direct Access to .php Files
   Prevents direct access to .php files in URLs, returning a 404 error if attempted.

4. Specify PHP Version
   Configures the server to use a specific version of PHP (PHP 7.4 in this case).

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File Breakdown

1. Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

• Redirects all HTTP requests to their HTTPS equivalent.

2. Remove .php Extensions

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME}\.php -f
RewriteRule ^([^\.]+)$ $1.php [NC,L]

• Maps requests without an extension to .php files while hiding the .php extension.

3. Restrict .php Access

RewriteCond %{THE_REQUEST} "\.php"
RewriteRule ^ - [L,R=404]

• Denies access to URLs explicitly containing .php in the request.

4. Specify PHP Version

<IfModule mime_module>
    AddHandler application/x-httpd-ea-php74 .php .php7 .phtml
</IfModule>

• Configures the server to use PHP 7.4. Adjust this as needed for your environment.

Usage

1. Place the .htaccess file in the root directory of your web application.
2. Ensure your server has mod_rewrite enabled.
3. Adjust the PHP handler if necessary, depending on your hosting environment.
4. Test the configuration to ensure proper functionality.

Compatibility

• Server Requirements: Apache with mod_rewrite and mime_module enabled.
• Tested PHP Versions: PHP 7.4 (adjustable in the file).