Root directive in Nginx - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the root directive do in an nginx configuration?

The root directive sets the directory path where nginx looks for files to serve for a given location or server block.

beginner

Where can the root directive be used in nginx configuration?

It can be used inside the http, server, or location blocks to specify the root directory for serving files.

intermediate

How does nginx combine the root directive path with the request URI?

Nginx appends the request URI to the path set by the root directive to find the file to serve.

intermediate

What happens if the root directive is set in both server and location blocks?

The root directive in the location block overrides the one in the server block for that location.

beginner

Example: How to set the root directory to /var/www/html for a server in nginx?

Inside the server block, add: <br>

root /var/www/html;

What does the nginx root directive specify?

A The directory where nginx looks for files to serve

B The IP address of the server

C The port number nginx listens on

D The logging level for nginx

The root directive tells nginx the folder path to find files for requests.

If root is set in both server and location blocks, which one is used for that location?

A The one in the <code>server</code> block

B The one in the <code>location</code> block

C Both are combined

D Nginx throws an error

The location block's root overrides the server block's root for that location.

How does nginx find the file to serve when a request comes in?

A It only uses the request URI

B It uses the <code>root</code> path only

C It uses the <code>root</code> path plus the request URI

D It randomly selects a file

Nginx appends the request URI to the root directory path to locate the file.

Where can the root directive NOT be used?

A Inside <code>http</code> block

B Inside <code>server</code> block

C Inside <code>location</code> block

D Inside <code>events</code> block

The root directive is not valid inside the events block.

What is the correct syntax to set the root directory to /usr/share/nginx/html?

A root /usr/share/nginx/html;

B set root /usr/share/nginx/html;

C root = /usr/share/nginx/html;

D root: /usr/share/nginx/html;

The correct syntax is root /usr/share/nginx/html; without equals sign or colon.

Explain how the nginx root directive works and where it can be used.

Think about how nginx finds files to serve for web requests.

Describe what happens when root is set in both server and location blocks in nginx.

Consider configuration precedence in nginx.