above root?

spacestout · 11-7-05, 04:16 PM

Could someone clarify what it means to write a file above the root directory? What is considered to be the root directory? Is /htdocs the root, or at the root? /htdocs and /CGI-BIN at the same level? Should php files be placed in /htdocs or /CGI-BIN?

When would you want to have files above or below the root?

Any good tutorials on the questions I'm asking? Is this Apache server stuff?

**snowmaker** · 11-7-05, 04:25 PM

htdocs and cgi-bin are in the root directory. htdocs is the document root directory. php files that create html text don't have to be in htdocs, but they need to write the html text in htdocs or a directory in htdocs, so it would probably be just as well to put php files of that type in or below htdocs.

**BerksWebGuy** · 11-7-05, 04:39 PM

Just to add...

Anything in htdocs or cgi-bin are web-accessible. So if you want to have a php or password file to have alittle more security, you want to put that in your root (which is the same level as htdocs and cgi-bin).

There is also the document root (explained above), and the server root which looks like /www/u/username, then you have your ftp root (or home) directory which is what you see everytime you ftp into your package.

Barry441 · 11-12-05, 09:14 AM

I also have an empty folder named. 'etc' at the same level as cgi-bin, htdocs and logs.
Could I move my phpBB forum to that folder?
I publish my website with Frontpage and do not want all the junk files associated with that to mess up my board.

**snowmaker** · 11-12-05, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry441

I also have an empty folder named. 'etc' at the same level as cgi-bin, htdocs and logs. Could I move my phpBB forum to that folder?

I don't think that (the forum) will work there. I'm pretty sure that in order to successfully operate, the forum must be in htdocs, or a directory under htdocs. Some data-type files may be able to reside above htdocs simply with the correct changes to whatever config file(s) the forum script uses.

stevel · 11-12-05, 09:55 AM

Indeed, /etc is not accessible from a web browser. cgi-bin will work because the server provides an alias for that directory.

Barry441 · 11-12-05, 07:29 PM

Thanks for the info.

So what is the purpose of the /etc folder?

stevel · 11-12-05, 10:49 PM

It's where the crontab file goes if you want one for scheduling commands. You can also use it as a handy place for other things not web accessible, such as .htpasswd files.

**BerksWebGuy** · 11-12-05, 10:51 PM

Also...some config files (like webstats conf files) may be placed there.

Those are some uses for powweb. If you have a linux machine...it can have other uses also.

11-7-05, 04:16 PM	#1
spacestout Registered Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 19 Reputation: 0	above root? Could someone clarify what it means to write a file above the root directory? What is considered to be the root directory? Is /htdocs the root, or at the root? /htdocs and /CGI-BIN at the same level? Should php files be placed in /htdocs or /CGI-BIN? When would you want to have files above or below the root? Any good tutorials on the questions I'm asking? Is this Apache server stuff?

11-7-05, 04:25 PM	#2
snowmaker   Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Solomons Island Posts: 3,130 Reputation: 318	htdocs and cgi-bin are in the root directory. htdocs is the document root directory. php files that create html text don't have to be in htdocs, but they need to write the html text in htdocs or a directory in htdocs, so it would probably be just as well to put php files of that type in or below htdocs. __________________ -bruce /* somdcomputerguy / 'If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.'*

11-7-05, 04:39 PM	#3
BerksWebGuy Mod Squad Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 6,972 Reputation: 243	Just to add... Anything in htdocs or cgi-bin are web-accessible. So if you want to have a php or password file to have alittle more security, you want to put that in your root (which is the same level as htdocs and cgi-bin). There is also the document root (explained above), and the server root which looks like /www/u/username, then you have your ftp root (or home) directory which is what you see everytime you ftp into your package. __________________ www.GoLightMedia.com

11-12-05, 09:14 AM	#4
Barry441 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Colrain, Massachusetts Posts: 152 Reputation: 36	I also have an empty folder named. 'etc' at the same level as cgi-bin, htdocs and logs. Could I move my phpBB forum to that folder? I publish my website with Frontpage and do not want all the junk files associated with that to mess up my board. __________________ There is always something new to learn!

11-12-05, 09:55 AM	#6
stevel XPW Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 9,464 Reputation: 265	Indeed, /etc is not accessible from a web browser. cgi-bin will work because the server provides an alias for that directory. __________________ Steve

11-12-05, 07:29 PM	#7
Barry441 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Colrain, Massachusetts Posts: 152 Reputation: 36	Thanks for the info. So what is the purpose of the /etc folder? __________________ There is always something new to learn!

11-12-05, 10:49 PM	#8
stevel XPW Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 9,464 Reputation: 265	It's where the crontab file goes if you want one for scheduling commands. You can also use it as a handy place for other things not web accessible, such as .htpasswd files. __________________ Steve

11-12-05, 10:51 PM	#9
BerksWebGuy Mod Squad Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 6,972 Reputation: 243	Also...some config files (like webstats conf files) may be placed there. Those are some uses for powweb. If you have a linux machine...it can have other uses also. __________________ www.GoLightMedia.com