Apache mod_rewrite RewriteCond to avoid loops

Question

What's the difference between:

RewriteCond %{ENV:REDIRECT_STATUS} 200
RewriteRule ^ - [L]

and this one:

RewriteCond %{ENV:REDIRECT_STATUS} ^.
RewriteRule ^ - [L]

It happened that this last one used to work just fine for a long time, until suddenly it stopped working causing Apache to show the directory listing! The first one solved the issue. So what's wrong with the second one?

Thank you

Salman A · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-27T18:53:36.127

1

RewriteCond %{ENV:REDIRECT_STATUS} 200

Checks whether REDIRECT_STATUS environment variable is equal to 200 (in fact, the pattern will match any string containing 200).

RewriteCond %{ENV:REDIRECT_STATUS} ^.

Checks whether REDIRECT_STATUS environment variable is at least one character long.

The second one should work since 200 should match ^.. Perhaps the problem lies elsewhere.

edited Oct 27 '12 at 18:53

answered Oct 27 '12 at 18:45

Salman A

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Thanks. Got any idea why using 200 avoids Apache from going crazy? – Timido Oct 27 '12 at 20:11
The rules you posted do not provide enough information. May be checking for 200 _is_ the right thing to do. – Salman A Oct 28 '12 at 09:10
Ok will try to post complete rules – Timido Oct 29 '12 at 11:57
Here it is: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/13121297/apache-mod-rewrite-redirect-status-condition-causing-directory-listing – Timido Oct 29 '12 at 12:06

Apache mod_rewrite RewriteCond to avoid loops

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