What is PATH_INFO in PHP and how does it work with Apache\'s AcceptPathInfo directive?

Understanding PATH_INFO in PHP: Beyond URL Customization

PATH_INFO, an environment variable encountered in PHP, often leaves many programmers perplexed. To unravel its purpose, it's crucial to recognize its underlying connection to the Apache Web Server.

Apache's AcceptPathInfo Directive

PATH_INFO is brought into existence when Apache enables its AcceptPathInfo directive. By activating this directive, Apache captures URL segments appended to existing or non-existent files within accessible directories. This information is subsequently stored in the PATH_INFO environment variable, regardless of the request's success or failure.

PATH_INFO in PHP: Accessing the Environment Variable

Within PHP, access to the PATH_INFO variable is granted through $_SERVER['PATH_INFO']. This variable allows PHP scripts to retrieve the captured URL segments.

Example: Decoding URL Segments

Consider the URL "/test/here.html/more". When Apache intercepts this request, PATH_INFO will contain "/more" even though the file "/test/here.html/more" doesn't physically exist. This mechanism enables URL path customization without the need to create actual files for each segment.

Usage in PHP Code

PHP applications can utilize PATH_INFO to parse URL segments for various purposes, such as:

<code class="php">echo $_SERVER['PATH_INFO']; // Output: /more</code>

Additional Resources

• [Apache Core Documentation: AcceptPathInfo Directive](https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/mod/core.html#AcceptPathInfo)

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