Try_files directive in Nginx - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the try_files directive do in nginx?

It checks for the existence of files or directories in order, and serves the first one found. If none are found, it can redirect to a fallback URI or return an error.

beginner

How do you write a try_files directive to check for index.html and then fallback to index.php?

try_files /index.html /index.php;

beginner

What happens if none of the files in try_files exist and no fallback is specified?

nginx returns a 404 Not Found error by default.

intermediate

Why is try_files preferred over if statements for checking file existence in nginx?

try_files is more efficient and designed for this purpose, avoiding complex and error-prone if conditions.

intermediate

Give an example of a try_files directive that tries $uri, $uri/, and then redirects to /index.php with query string.

try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$query_string;

What does try_files $uri /fallback.html; do?

A Always serves /fallback.html

B Returns a 500 error if $uri does not exist

C Redirects to $uri

D Serves the file at $uri if it exists, otherwise serves /fallback.html

The directive tries to serve the file at $uri first. If it doesn't exist, it serves /fallback.html.

If try_files does not find any file and no fallback is given, what is the default response?

A 200 OK

B 404 Not Found

C 500 Internal Server Error

D 301 Redirect

nginx returns a 404 Not Found error by default when no file is found and no fallback is specified.

Which is a valid use of try_files?

A try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$args;

B try_files if ($uri) { return 404; };

C try_files $uri then /index.html;

D try_files $uri || /index.html;

Option A is the correct syntax for try_files. The others are invalid.

Why should try_files be used instead of if to check file existence?

A try_files is faster and less error-prone

B if is deprecated in nginx

C try_files can only check directories

D if cannot check files

try_files is optimized for checking files and is more efficient than if statements.

What does this directive do? try_files $uri $uri/ =404;

A Redirects to $uri/

B Always returns 404

C Tries $uri, then $uri/ and returns 404 if none found

D Serves $uri only

It tries to serve $uri, then $uri/ (directory), and returns a 404 error if neither exists.

Explain how the try_files directive works in nginx and why it is useful.

Think about how nginx decides which file to serve when multiple options exist.

Write a try_files directive that tries the requested URI, then the URI as a directory, and finally redirects to /index.php with query parameters.

Use variables $uri and $query_string in the directive.