AddHandler directly in .htaccess

Question

In this solution, I installed and enabled mod_python.

Why doesn't adding this in .htaccess

AddHandler mod_python .py
PythonHandler mod_python.publisher

work?

It works if I add this in a <VirtualHost> configuration, but it doesn't seem to work from a .htaccess. This is a bit a shame, because some people don't have access to modify their <VirtualHost> configuration, and can only modify a .htaccess.

On the other hand, AddHandler php5-script .php seems to be available from .htaccess as detailed here.

Answer 1

As mentioned by @DusanBajic in a comment, adding this solved it:

<VirtualHost *:80>
  ...
  <Directory />
    AllowOverride All
    Allow from all
  </Directory>
</VirtualHost>

Then simply adding this in the .htaccess file works:

AddHandler mod_python .py
PythonHandler mod_python.publisher

Explanation:

• AllowOverride All:

  When the server finds an .htaccess file (as specified by AccessFileName), it needs to know which directives declared in that file can override earlier configuration directives.