The .htaccess file is a powerful tool that allows website administrators to perform various server configurations at the directory level. One of its key functions is the ability to set and change PHP directives without needing access to the main PHP configuration file, php.ini. This article will guide you through the basics of using .htaccess to set PHP directives, ensuring your website functions exactly as you need it to.

What is .htaccess? .htaccess is a distributed configuration file for Apache web servers. It enables website administrators to perform detailed server configuration settings at the level of individual directories without needing to modify the main server configuration files. This is particularly useful in Shared hosting environments where access to main configuration files may be restricted.

Setting PHP Directives Using .htaccess Configuring PHP directives using the .htaccess file is relatively straightforward. You just need to know which directives you want to change and understand the correct format. Here are a few examples of how you can influence PHP behavior on your website using .htaccess:

1. Changing File Upload Limits To increase the maximum size of uploaded files, you can add the following lines to your .htaccess file:

   php_value upload_max_filesize 10M
   php_value post_max_size 10M
   

2. Adjusting Maximum Script Execution Time To set the maximum time a script can run, use:

   php_value max_execution_time 300
   ​

3. Enabling or Disabling Error Display To enable error display on a development server:

   php_flag display_errors on
   ​

   To disable it on a production server:

   php_flag display_errors off
   

Important Note

Using .htaccess to modify PHP directives only works on servers that use Apache and have the appropriate option enabled. Before attempting any changes, make sure your hosting provider supports these modifications via .htaccess.

The .htaccess file is a powerful tool that allows you to finely adjust PHP behavior on your website without needing access to global configuration files. While its usage is relatively straightforward, it's always important to make changes carefully to avoid unintended side effects. With a bit of practice and attention to detail, .htaccess can be a potent ally in optimizing and securing your website.