We can obtain the decoded URL path by using the %{UNENCODED_URL} variable to decode URLs in Apache rewrite rules. At Bobcares, with our Server Management Service, we can handle your issues.

Decode URL with Apache Rewrite Rules

The process of returning URL-encoded characters to their original form is known as URL decoding. The process of encoding special characters in URLs with a percent sign (“%”) and two hexadecimal numbers is known as URL encoding. The %{QUERY_STRING} variable and the NE flag can be used to decode URL-encoded data in Apache when working with it during URL rewriting.

Following is an overview of how URL decoding can be used to an Apache setup:

Here, the RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (.+) captures the entire query string. RewriteRule ^/decoded-path$ /new-path/%1? [NE,R=301,L] checks if the request path is “/decoded-path”. Then redirects to “/new-path/” with the decoded query string. Also, the NE flag is used to prevent Apache from escaping special characters in the rewritten URL.

We can use %{THE_REQUEST} if we need to perform complex URL decoding or manipulation. The complete request line, including the URL, the HTTP protocol (such as HTTP or HTTPS), and the HTTP method (such as GET or POST), is stored in this variable. We can also use regular expressions to find and decode special request parts by using this variable.

For instance, we can use regular expressions and %{THE_REQUEST} to extract and decode elements of the URL in a more complex way. This allows us to manage URLs in the Apache rewrite rules with more flexibility as well as control.

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Conclusion

The article explains about the details from our Experts on decoding URLs using Apache Rewrite rules.