Directives

Directives are programming words in Apache that the server assess and interpret in order to come up with a hosting simulation. These command words have specific functions to carry out virtual hosting in the Apache environment smoothly and efficiently. Some of the most common directives being used in Apache are Server Admin, Document Root, Server Name, and Error Log.

The Server Admin command configures the e-mail address that the server uses to send any error message needed to be returned to the client. Document Root on the other hand, is the value of the directory from which http will serve files. By using this command, the server pastes the path of requested URL to the document root to make the path to the document.

Another command is the Server Name directive which is used to set the host name of the server and create redirecting URLs.

Lastly, the Error Log command dictates the name of the file to which the server will log and indicate any errors it may encounter. For example, if the path does not begin with a slash (/) then it is understood to be relative to the Server Root. However if the file-path begins with a pipe (|) then it is clear to be a command created to handle the error log.