09/02/10

When a client requests a directory: three possibilities
- error (404, sometimes 403)
- return a default file (usually index.html)
- generates & returns an HTML page that lists the
  contents of the directory

Returning a default file
- needs mod_dir
- DirectoryIndex directive

Generating a listing
- needs mod_autoindex
- Can switch this on/off using Options +/- Indexes
- E.g. switch it off everywhere except downloads directory:
  <Directory />
    Options -Indexes
  </Directory>
  
  <Directory /downloads/>
    Options +Indexes
  <Directory>
- Also IndexIgnore can prevent certain files from being listed
  E.g.
  IndexIgnore .* *~
  will mean that hidden files and editor backups won't be shown.
- There are also directives for fancy formatting of the listing