Apache Handlers
Apache is a great open source HTTP software set that most UNIX and some Windows servers utilize to run display web pages. Apache Handlers are basically the same thing as MIME Types except they aren't telling the browser how to handle a file, they are telling the server how to handle them.
An Apache “handler” is an internal representation of the action to be performed when a file is called. Most files have specific handlers, which is based on file type. In most cases all files are served by the server, but in some cases file types are handled separately.
Handlers can be built into a server or they can be included in a module, or they can be added with an Action directive. The build-in handlers which are standard in most servers are:
defualt-handler – This will send the file with the “default_handler(), which is the default handler for static content.
send-as-is – Send the file with HTTP headers and as is.
cgi-script – This will teat the file as a CGI script.
imap-file – This is used to parse as an imagemap rule file.
server-info – This will retrieve the server's configuration information.
server-parsed – This is used to parse for server-side includes. More information on SSI can be found here:
server-status – This will retrieve the server's status report.
type-map – This will parse files as a type map file for content negotiation.
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On most systems there are system defined rules already in place. The rules that are already in place on our server are:
.cgi .pl – Treat as cgi-script.
.shtml – Parse server side.
Basically all this is stating is that “cgi and pl” scripts will be treated as cgi-scripts and “shtml” files will be parsed server side.
We can add our own if we like, simple input the extension and the handler that will correspond with it. User can no edit system defined handlers, they are only allowed to add and delete ones they've added themselves.
Let's say we wanted to use “script” instead of “shtml” for all of our SSI files. We could use an Apache Handler for this. We'd simple enter in the extension we would like to use, which in this case will be “script” and then enter the handler for “shtml” or SSI files: server-prased.
Now we can load any “.shtml” file as a “.script” file. This is useful for webmasters that like to totally customize every aspect of their site. This will also be useful for users that do not want their visitors to know what type of programming language they are using.
Note: This will only work with server side scripting. Dynamic programming languages such as PHP will have to be setup as a MIME Type in order for this to work the same way, as it's parsed when a user loads it and not server side.
Important: Check with your ISP or web hosting provider to be sure the handlers that you'd adding won't hinder the functionality of your site. Inputting incorrect handlers or file extensions can cause a site to stop functioning correctly.
Delete Apache Handlers
Remember that system defined handlers can not be deleted by the end user. The system administrator will need to perform this task, which in most cases doesn't need to happen.
Deleting Apache Handlers are very easy. Simple select the user defined extension and then click on delete.
