What is “.htaccess” file and how do I use it?

  • I am using version 2.7. My tech support recently told me that I needed to “parse php 4 to php 5 through a .htaccess file in it. Create a “.htaccess” file containing the following line: AddType x-mapp-php5 .php

    Save the file as .htaccess and upload it the root directory or the folder itself that has the WordPress files.”

    I don’t know why to do this, or how to do it.

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

  • You need to upload it using FTP. The easiest way to do one file, one time, is to use the file management utility in your website hosting control panel. If you have no idea how to do that, ask your web hosting tech support. They may have tutorials in their support area.

    what you do: create a file on your computer called .htaccess – that is a period in front of the name. use a text editor, not a word processor – in Windows use Notepad, on the accessories menu.
    Open the file and copy and paste that line of code into it. Then using the website file management utility, upload the file into your web hosting account, into the root folder that contains the WordPress files.

    why you are doing it: this is necessary because of the way the web server you are hosted on is configured. Its necessary to get WordPress working correctly with the way the Apache webserver software is set up on your server. Thats all you really need to know.

    Thread Starter kedda-keough

    (@kedda-keough)

    Before I do anything — this new .htaccess file will overwrite what is already there as an .htaccess file, right? What is an .htaccess file? I’d like to know at least a little more about this thing.

    It is hard being a newbie!

    If you already have an .htaccess file you should modify the existing one, not overwrite it. Add your commands to what is already there.

    An .htaccess file contains commands to the Apache webserver that are taken into account before allowing access to any file that someone’s webbrowser is trying to retrieve from the web server.

    Commands in an .htaccess file in the root folder are applied to that folder and every folder beneath it. WordPress creates and uses its own .htaccess file, in the root folder of the WordPress installation. One of the purposes WP uses it for is to redirect permalinks to the actual physical location of content on your WP site.

    The command your webhost wants you to use assigns PHP5 files to the file extension .php

    Thread Starter kedda-keough

    (@kedda-keough)

    Wow… this sounds like what I need, as it is my permalinks that are not working. Thanks! I’ll try this!

    May I suggest you do a simple web search for this? There are so many help files telling you what can be done with .htaccess it’s ridiculous. It can do a LOT more than handle WP’s permalinks.

    Thread Starter kedda-keough

    (@kedda-keough)

    The problem has been resolved. I actually fixed the problem with the .htaccess file by going through the dashboard on WordPress, and re-doing my permalinks.

    I have a similar issue as this.

    What format should a .htacces file be in? txt, php, none ???

    Please do a google search on htaccess files. You will learn mucho!

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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