htaccess modrewrite problem with rewriting url with- dashes solution

I was getting frustrated with trying to write a simple URL like this:

/example-withdash

I used the htaccess code like this:

Rewriterule ^example-withdash$ / [R=301]

I also tried escaping the dash which I thought should have treated it as a literal but that didn't work either:

Rewriterule ^example\-withdash$ / [R=301]

But it wouldn't work, apparently the "-" dash means don't substitute, so this means in plain Engilsh that my rule is not treated as intended or expected.

- (dash)

A dash indicates that no substitution should be performed (the existing path is passed through untouched). This is used when a flag (see below) needs to be applied without changing the path.

http://httpd.apache.org/docs/current/mod/mod_rewrite.html

The Solution:

Put brackets around the rewrite rule ()

Rewriterule ^(example-withdash)$ / [R=301]

Now it works, it's very simple but quite frustrating when you don't know this. I actually think Apache should have a debug mode or some switch to run an .htaccess file and verbosely output the interpretation of each rule.

Tags:

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