difference between url rewrite and redirect

URL rewrite and URL redirect are two techniques used in web development for directing traffic and manipulating URLs, but they serve different purposes and operate in distinct ways. Here's an overview of both:

URL Rewrite

• Definition: URL rewriting involves modifying the URL structure while the request is being processed by the web server but before the page is loaded. The user never sees the rewritten URL; they only see the original URL they requested.
• Purpose: Its main purpose is to make URLs more user-friendly and search engine friendly. It is also used to route requests to the correct file or application handler without changing the URL visible to the user.
• How It Works: When a request is made, the server internally changes the path or appearance of the URL based on predefined rules. This process does not send any response to the browser indicating that a change has occurred. For example, rewriting can turn a query string-based URL (www.example.com/product.php?id=123) into a cleaner, more readable format (www.example.com/product/123).
• Use Cases: Useful in single-page applications (SPAs), for SEO optimization, or when organizing content that is dynamically generated.

URL Redirect

• Definition: URL redirection is a server-side operation that sends back an HTTP status code (such as 301 or 302) to the client's browser, instructing it to make a new request to a different URL. This process is visible to the user, as the browser's address bar will change to the new URL.
• Purpose: Redirects are primarily used to take users from one URL to another. This could be due to a page being moved or deleted, site restructuring, or directing users to a different domain.
• How It Works: The server responds with a specific status code (301 for permanent redirect, 302 for temporary redirect, among others) and the new URL in the header. The browser then automatically makes a new request to the specified URL.
• Use Cases: Useful for maintaining SEO value when moving content to a new URL, redirecting old URLs to new ones during a site redesign, or guiding users through a specific workflow.

Key Differences

• Visibility: Rewrite changes are invisible to the end-user; redirects result in a visible change in the browser’s address bar.
• HTTP Status Codes: Redirects involve sending specific HTTP status codes to the browser; rewrites do not involve sending these status codes to the client.
• Purpose: Rewrites are often used for aesthetic reasons and to create cleaner, more descriptive URLs; redirects are used to navigate users from one URL to another, often for structural, navigational, or security reasons.
• Server Processing: In a rewrite, the server processes the request as if the new URL were the original request. In a redirect, the server tells the browser to stop the current request and start a new request at the new URL.

Both techniques are crucial for web development and SEO strategies, but their application depends greatly on the specific needs of the website and the goals of the web developer or administrator.