## 2.2. Apache's Flags

httpd (or apache) takes the following flags:

`-D` name

  Defines a name for `<IfDefine>` directives.

`-d` directory

  Specifies an alternate initial `ServerRoot` directory.

`-f` filename

  Specifies an alternate `ServerConfig` file.

`-C "`directive`"`

  Processes the given directive before reading Config file(s).

`-c "`directive`"`

  Processes the given directive after reading Config file(s).

`-v`

  Shows version number.

`-V`

  Shows compile settings.

`-h`

  Lists available Config directives.

`-l`

  Lists compiled modules.

`-S`

  Shows parsed settings (currently only `vhost`).

`-t`

  Runs syntax test for configuration file(s).

`-X`

  Runs a single copy. This is intended for debugging only, and should not be used otherwise. Can cause a substantial delay in servicing requests.

`-i`

  Installs Apache as an NT service.

`-u`

  Uninstalls Apache as an NT service.

`-s`

  Under NT, prevents Apache registering itself as an NT service. If you are running under Win95 this flag does not seem essential, but it would be advisable to include it anyway. This flag should be used when starting Apache from the command line, but it is easy to forget because nothing goes wrong if you leave it out. The main advantage is a faster startup (omitting it causes a 30-second delay).

`-k` `shutdown`|`restart`

  Run on another console window, `apache` `-k` `shutdown` stops Apache gracefully, and `apache` `-k` `restart` stops it and restarts it gracefully.

The Apache Group seems to put in extra flags quite often, so it is worth experimenting with `apache` `-?` (or `httpd -?`) to see what you get.

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