edit HTTP Headers sent by server - How To

[roywoodall]

How do I edit HTTP Headers sent by server?

thanks

[JasonD]

Can you be more specific?

Headers are sent prior to a page being sent. The settings on your server and contents of the data file being sent, or status of the file will determine what the header says.

You can not normally construct a header, unless you program your own server program from scratch. You can use PHP to append data, and set data, for PHP files only. Unless all files are processed by PHP, but that could be taxing on the server. This is how I construct animated GIF's on the fly, like a captcha. (The header would still have to send valid information, or it will fail to function with the device it is talking to.)

There is not much data in a header.

File size:
File compression:
File name:
Host:
Expire:
Type:
Error:
etc...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HTTP_headers

However, for specific things that are not just "Served", you can use PHP to construct the return data, which includes headers. (This is usually done when sending mails or sending nonstandard items. EG, if you created a program that has a special file, but uses HTTP as the transmission, that file would use your custom header. All other standard headers are controlled by the server, via the ACCEPT listings. bmp, gif, htm, php, js, png, gzip, zip, etc...)

This is why I asked if you can elaborate.

What is this for?
What type of file?
What type of info do you want to change/edit/add/remove?

I will say that asking a question like this will be viewed with a little caution and suspicion. That is because modification of server sent headers is something that resembles hacking. (Forged headers are not allowed.) However, that is not the only purpose of editing headers. Often editing is to fix things, and add functionality. So that is why I asked for more elaboration.

[genrock]

Can you be more specific?

Headers are sent prior to a page being sent. The settings on your server and contents of the data file being sent, or status of the file will determine what the header says.

You can not normally construct a header, unless you program your own server program from scratch. You can use PHP to append data, and set data, for PHP files only. Unless all files are processed by PHP, but that could be taxing on the server. This is how I construct animated GIF's on the fly, like a captcha. (The header would still have to send valid information, or it will fail to function with the device it is talking to.)

There is not much data in a header.

File size:
File compression:
File name:
Host:
Expire:
Type:
Error:
etc...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HTTP_headers

However, for specific things that are not just "Served", you can use PHP to construct the return data, which includes headers. (This is usually done when sending mails or sending nonstandard items. EG, if you created a program that has a special file, but uses HTTP as the transmission, that file would use your custom header. All other standard headers are controlled by the server, via the ACCEPT listings. bmp, gif, htm, php, js, png, gzip, zip, etc...)

This is why I asked if you can elaborate.

What is this for?
What type of file?
What type of info do you want to change/edit/add/remove?

I will say that asking a question like this will be viewed with a little caution and suspicion. That is because modification of server sent headers is something that resembles hacking. (Forged headers are not allowed.) However, that is not the only purpose of editing headers. Often editing is to fix things, and add functionality. So that is why I asked for more elaboration.

Yes, it definitely resembles hacking so be prepared for people not wanting to give you the exact details on how to do it.