vanity url with .htaccess in php - php

Question

I'm trying to create a vanity url for where users profile could easily be viewed by others.
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -f [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -d
RewriteRule .* - [L]
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://localhost/test/public/profile.php?username=$1 [NC]
This is the code but each time i use this code in my .htaccess file, i get 500 Internal Server Error and the sub-folder public disappears from my directory. What am i getting wrong? Do i need any to do any configuration first?

Answer 1

It's better to use global rewrite logic:
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteRule . index.php [L]
and in Your index.php catch $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] and if user exists so respond if not then pass processing to next procedure.
But if You insist on realization as in question so try this:
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ profile.php?username=$1 [L,QSA]

Answer 2

Check this:
Options +FollowSymLinks
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine on
RewriteBase /
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -f [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -d
RewriteRule ^profile/([a-zA-Z0-9_\-/]+)$ test/public/profile.php?username=$1 [L,NC]
</IfModule>
However note:
You must have the rewrite engine on to make it work (google a bit for the installation procedure the OS/system you are working)
Put proper RewriteBase directive if you use it from subdirectory.