Security is a huge issue. No doubt about it. And a part of maintaining security on a server migh include using a '.htaccess' file, right? But what is a '.htaccess' file, exactly?
In trying to conform to the Web standards and finding the most efficient and secure way as possible, I have a question: can a user change a file on a server remotely with the HTTP protocol?
Like, say for example, I had a Notepad-type program. I save the work to local file on my drive, but can I save it to a server? Or does it not use the same protocol?
Computers are hard.
Webmaster! 
dk01 posted this at 03:17—18th April 2006.
He has: 517 posts
Joined: Mar 2002
The HTTP protocol only communicates with the web server. .htaccess files are parsed by the web server BEFORE the server sends any information back to the browser. They are parsed on a per-folder basis. To read more about .htaccess just do a google search and you'll find tons of resources.
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Busy posted this at 09:30—18th April 2006.
He has: 6,148 posts
Joined: May 2001
a .htaccess is just a text file, used more for blocking and rewriting urls', stop hot linking, custom error pages ...
If the file is writable (777) then it can be 'adjusted online', if it blocked (555) it can't be - the numbers are ccmod
handy chmod caculator here - http://javascriptkit.com/script/script2/chmodcal.shtml
<?bhb if(broken){ echo("It wasn't me
"); } ?>
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Maxwell posted this at 16:29—19th April 2006.
He has: 52 posts
Joined: Apr 2006
So, with a file CHMOD'ed 777, can a user use their browser to manipulate/edit/delete a file without the aid of a file-access script?
Webmaster!
mairving posted this at 17:53—19th April 2006.
They have: 2,256 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
Yep.
Mark Irving
I have a mind like a steel trap; it is rusty and illegal in 47 states