Explain the difference between the Apache environment and

the OS environment.

git-svn-id: https://svn.apache.org/repos/asf/httpd/httpd/trunk@89023 13f79535-47bb-0310-9956-ffa450edef68

diff --git a/docs/manual/env.html b/docs/manual/env.html
index f436e32819a6f2a2919ee77226dc7527b4559266..23f8c4bac2c2c3963523c3df41a96bd0eea53ff2 100644 (file)
--- a/docs/manual/env.html
+++ b/docs/manual/env.html
@@ -15,11 +15,23 @@
 <!--#include virtual="header.html" -->
 <h1 align="center">Environment Variables in Apache</h1>
 
-<p>Many operating systems provide a facility for storage and
-transmission of information called environment variables.  Apache uses
-environment variables in many ways to control operations and to
-communicate with other programs like CGI scripts.  This document
-explains some of the ways to use environment variables in Apache.</p>
+<p>The Apache HTTP Server provides a mechanism for storing information
+in named variables that are called <em>environment variables</em>.
+This information can be used to control various operations such as
+logging or access control.  The variables are also used as a mechanism
+to communicate with external programs such as CGI scripts.  This
+document discusses different ways to manipulate and use these
+variables.</p>
+
+<p>Although these variables are referred to as <em>environment
+variables</em>, they are not the same as the environment variables
+controlled by the underlying operating system.  Instead, these
+variables are stored and manipulated in an internal Apache structure.
+They only become actual operating system environment variables when
+they are provided to CGI scripts and Server Side Include scripts.  If
+you wish to manipulate the operating system environment under which
+the server itself runs, you must use the standard environment
+manipulation mechanisms provided by your operating system shell.</p>
 
 <ul>
 <li><a href="#setting">Setting Environment Variables</a></li>
@@ -145,7 +157,7 @@ For more details, see the <a href="howto/cgi.html">CGI tutorial</a>.
 <h3>SSI Pages</h3>
 
 <p>Server-parsed (SSI) documents processed by mod_include's
-<code>server-parsed</code> handler can print environment variables
+<code>INCLUDES</code> filter can print environment variables
 using the <code>echo</code> element, and can use environment variables
 in flow control elements to makes parts of a page conditional on
 characteristics of a request.  Apache also provides SSI pages with the

diff --git a/docs/manual/env.html.en b/docs/manual/env.html.en
index f436e32819a6f2a2919ee77226dc7527b4559266..23f8c4bac2c2c3963523c3df41a96bd0eea53ff2 100644 (file)
--- a/docs/manual/env.html.en
+++ b/docs/manual/env.html.en
@@ -15,11 +15,23 @@
 <!--#include virtual="header.html" -->
 <h1 align="center">Environment Variables in Apache</h1>
 
-<p>Many operating systems provide a facility for storage and
-transmission of information called environment variables.  Apache uses
-environment variables in many ways to control operations and to
-communicate with other programs like CGI scripts.  This document
-explains some of the ways to use environment variables in Apache.</p>
+<p>The Apache HTTP Server provides a mechanism for storing information
+in named variables that are called <em>environment variables</em>.
+This information can be used to control various operations such as
+logging or access control.  The variables are also used as a mechanism
+to communicate with external programs such as CGI scripts.  This
+document discusses different ways to manipulate and use these
+variables.</p>
+
+<p>Although these variables are referred to as <em>environment
+variables</em>, they are not the same as the environment variables
+controlled by the underlying operating system.  Instead, these
+variables are stored and manipulated in an internal Apache structure.
+They only become actual operating system environment variables when
+they are provided to CGI scripts and Server Side Include scripts.  If
+you wish to manipulate the operating system environment under which
+the server itself runs, you must use the standard environment
+manipulation mechanisms provided by your operating system shell.</p>
 
 <ul>
 <li><a href="#setting">Setting Environment Variables</a></li>
@@ -145,7 +157,7 @@ For more details, see the <a href="howto/cgi.html">CGI tutorial</a>.
 <h3>SSI Pages</h3>
 
 <p>Server-parsed (SSI) documents processed by mod_include's
-<code>server-parsed</code> handler can print environment variables
+<code>INCLUDES</code> filter can print environment variables
 using the <code>echo</code> element, and can use environment variables
 in flow control elements to makes parts of a page conditional on
 characteristics of a request.  Apache also provides SSI pages with the