# Apache module mod_cern_meta

This module provides for CERN httpd metafile semantics.

Status: Extension
Source File: mod_cern_meta.c
Module Identifier: cern_meta_module
Compatibility: Available in Apache 1.1 and later.

## Summary

Emulate the CERN HTTPD Meta file semantics. Meta files are HTTP headers that can be output in addition to the normal range of headers for each file accessed. They appear rather like the Apache .asis files, and are able to provide a crude way of influencing the Expires: header, as well as providing other curiosities. There are many ways to manage meta information, this one was chosen because there is already a large number of CERN users who can exploit this module.

More information on the CERN metafile semantics is available.

## Directives

- MetaFiles
- MetaDir
- MetaSuffix

## MetaFiles directive

Syntax: MetaFiles on|off
Default: `MetaFiles off`
Context: per-directory config
Status: Base
Module: mod_cern_meta
Compatibility: MetaFiles is only available in Apache 1.3 and later.

Turns on/off Meta file processing on a per-directory basis. This option was introduced in Apache 1.3.

## MetaDir directive

Syntax: MetaDir directory
Default: `MetaDir .web`
Context: (Apache prior to 1.3) server config
Context: (Apache 1.3) per-directory config
Status: Base
Module: mod_cern_meta
Compatibility: MetaDir is only available in Apache 1.1 and later.

Specifies the name of the directory in which Apache can find meta information files. The directory is usually a 'hidden' subdirectory of the directory that contains the file being accessed. Set to "`.`" to look in the same directory as the file.

## MetaSuffix directive

Syntax: MetaSuffix suffix
Default: `MetaSuffix .meta`
Context: (Apache prior to 1.3) server config
Context: (Apache 1.3) per-directory config
Status: Base
Module: mod_cern_meta
Compatibility: MetaSuffix is only available in Apache 1.1 and later.

Specifies the file name suffix for the file containing the meta information. For example, the default values for the two directives will cause a request to `DOCUMENT_ROOT/somedir/index.html` to look in `DOCUMENT_ROOT/somedir/.web/index.html.meta` and will use its contents to generate additional MIME header information.